Socioeconomic Factors May Overshadow Racial Emphasis in Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: Study Shows
USA: A recent study has revealed that patients with frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) are more likely to live in affluent areas, as determined by their Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), compared to those with alopecia areata (AA). The researchers argue that the traditionally held belief that FFA predominantly affects certain racial groups may reflect underlying socioeconomic disparities rather than true racial predisposition.
The study, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology and led by Jiana Wyche and colleagues from Meharry Medical College, examined the association between socioeconomic status and the prevalence of FFA. FFA is a type of scarring alopecia that has seen a steady rise in cases over recent years. Historically, it has been reported more frequently in White, postmenopausal women. However, the growing number of cases has prompted investigations into potential environmental and lifestyle factors—including the use of facial cosmetics and sunscreens—which tend to be more common in individuals from higher socioeconomic backgrounds.
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