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AIM: The etiology of telogen effluvium (TE) includes situations that may cause physiological stress, surgical trauma, inflammatory, infectious, iatrogenic causes, medications and nutritional deficiencies. TE has been associated with iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency and thyroid diseases. In recent years, the use of over-the-counter food supplements containing vitamins and minerals such as biotin, vitamin D, zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and selenium (Se) has been increasing in TE patients. The aim of this study is to investigate whether there are differences in nutritional status, vitamin and mineral levels by comparing individuals with TE and a control group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This case-control study included 90 female patients diagnosed with chronic telogen effluvium (CTE), and 90 female controls volunteered to participate in the study who consulted for reasons other than TE. Both groups aged 18 and over and applied to dermatology polyclinic between 01.09.2022 and 01.09.2023. A detailed anamnesis was taken from all patients, a hair pull test was performed, and TE was diagnosed after a dermoscopic examination was performed on all areas of the scalp. Then, serum vitamin D, Zn, Cu, Se levels and biotin levels in serum and urine were measured. Hemoglobin (Hb), ferritin, vitamin B12 and thyroid function tests were retrospectively scanned from the hospital database. RESULTS: It was determined that Zn levels were significantly lower in CTE patients than in controls. Se levels were found to be significantly higher in patients than in controls. There was no difference in Hb, ferritin, vitamin B12, thyroid function tests, vitamin D, Cu levels, serum and urine biotin levels between the two groups. Zn, Cu/Zn and Se levels were found to have statistically significant diagnostic performance in predicting the diagnosis of CTE. Cu/Zn ratio and Se value were found to be significant predictors of CTE. CONCLUSION: This study shows us that nutritional deficiencies are not as common as thought in patients diagnosed with TE. Other causes that may cause TE should be investigated by a detailed anamnesis and a good physical examination. After all, tests for suspected conditions should be performed and individualized treatment options should be created for each patient.
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Objective The present study investigates the relationship between psoriasis and diseases such as health anxiety, depression, and somatosensory amplification. Methods The participating patients (n=117, including 60 psoriasis patients and 57 controls) filled out the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS), and Health Anxiety Inventory (HAI) questionnaires. Results The mean scores from SSAS, HAI, and BDI were significantly higher in the psoriasis group than in the control group (p<0.05 in all comparisons). When the group medians of BAI were evaluated, the differences were not statistically significant, although BAI medians were higher in the patient group. Furthermore, a moderate correlation was found between the involvement of specific areas (especially the scalp and face) and SSAS scores. Conclusion Patients with psoriasis score highly in depression, health anxiety, and somatosensory amplification, and there was a moderate correlation between specific body area involvement (especially the scalp and face) and SSAS score. The results of this study seem to indicate that psychiatric assessment and treatment approaches should be included in the treatment of such chronic skin diseases as psoriasis that follow a life-long remission and relapse pattern.