Middle East Journal of Digestive Diseases (Jan 2018)
Alopecia Universalis Associated with Ulcerative Colitis and The Role of Azathioprine
Abstract
Skin manifestations can herald, co-exist, or follow the evolution of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We report a middle-aged man with recent onset alopecia universalis and a history of intermittent diarrheal attacks for 6 years. Colonscopy and biopsy sampling confirmed ulcerative colitis. Regrowth of hair was achieved by treating the patient with azathioprine and mesalamine. Clinicians have to be aware that a multitude of skin manifestations with history of diarrhea can be an extraintestinal manifestation of IBD such as ulcerative colitis and this warrants further investigation.
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