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Association of Serum VEGF-A and VCAM-1 Levels With Nailfold Capilleroscopic Alterations in Alopecia Areata
Sponsor: Istanbul Training and Research Hospital
Summary
The goal of this observational study is to learn about microvascular changes and hair follicle activity in patients with alopecia areata. The main questions it aims to answer are: Do blood levels of markers related to blood vessel formation (VEGF-A) and inflammation (VCAM-1) differ between patients with alopecia areata and healthy individuals? Is there a link between these blood markers and structural changes in the nailfold capillaries? How do these markers relate to specific trichoscopic signs of disease activity (such as black dots or exclamation mark hairs) and the overall severity of hair loss (SALT score)? Researchers will compare patients with alopecia areata (grouped by disease duration: acute \<6 months vs. chronic \>6 months) to healthy volunteers to see if there is a significant difference in systemic and local vascular indicators. Participants will: Undergo a trichoscopic scalp examination to identify markers of disease activity (black dots, yellow dots, exclamation mark hairs) and calculate the SALT score. Have their nailfolds examined with a digital capillaroscope (50x) to detect microvascular alterations. Provide a blood sample to measure the levels of VEGF-A and VCAM-1.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 60 Years
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
90
Start Date
2026-04-01
Completion Date
2026-07-01
Last Updated
2026-03-30
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Interventions
Microvascular Imaging
his intervention focuses on the integration of microvascular and biochemical markers to phenotype Alopecia Areata subgroups.
Biochemical Biomarker Analysis
Collection of 5-10 mL venous blood samples. Serum is separated by centrifugation (3000 RPM, 10 min) and analyzed via Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to determine the levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A and Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule 1.
Trichoscopic Imaging
his non-invasive procedure focuses on identifying specific trichoscopic patterns associated with Alopecia Areata activity, including yellow dots, black dots, exclamation mark hairs, and broken hairs.
Locations (1)
Istanbul Education and Research Hospital
Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)