Concurrent Severe Alopecia Areata in Dizygotic Twins

A recent genetic study of alopecia areata shows that the patients with early onset, severe, familial group could be separated from the patients with later onset, milder severity with good prognosis in their genetic background. We have experienced an intractable clinical course of alopecia areata in dizygotic twin brothers and have come to sympathise with the genetic influence of the disease. The alopecia areata of the two brothers began for both at about 10 years of age and became severe and persistent over the twenties up to the present times. All treatments failed. The patients were thought to be an example showing the importance of genetic influences in the treatment of alopecia areata. (Korean J Dermatol 2004;42(5):608-611)