The EOG in systemic disease: Alopecia areata, lupus erythematodes, rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

An EOG was performed in 51 patients with alopecia areata, matched for sex and age with healthy controls. An EOG was also performed in 61 patients with lupus erythematodes, matched for sex and age with rheumatoid arthritis patients and healthy controls. There is a significant distinction between alopecia areata and normal and also between rheumatoid arthritis and normal and between rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematodes, but not between lupus erythematodes and normal.

There is clinical evidence that both alopecia areata and rheumatoid arthritis are autoimmune diseases. In both diseases the function of the retinal pigment epithelium may be damaged. The EOG as an examination method of retinal pigment epithelium function might be a parameter of cell-mediated immune processes at the level of this cell layer.

Key Words:

• electro-oculography
• alopecia areata
• lupus erythematodes
• rheumatoid arthritis