Turki H. Albinhar

Background: Graying is an inherent and unavoidable consequence of the aging process, impacting individuals of all genders. There are limited studies in Saudi Arabia that have examined the prevalence and predictors of premature graying of hair (PGH). Objectives: This study aims to explore the prevalence and predictors of PGH before the age of 30 among the population of Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is a cross‐sectional online survey that was conducted between July 2023 and February 2024 in Saudi Arabia. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors of having gray hair before the age of 30. Results: A total of 1193 participants were involved in this study. A significant portion of respondents reported having gray hair before the age of 30 (55.9%). The younger population (younger than 44 years), smokers, and those who have comorbidities, have anxiety, have depression, have a family history of gray hair before the age of 30 years, have a dry scalp, suffer from vitamin or mineral deficiencies, have hair loss due to immune diseases (such as alopecia), and use minoxidil or rosemary for hair loss were more likely to have gray hair before the age of 30 years ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study highlighted the high prevalence rate and associated predictors of PGH in Saudi Arabia. Identified predictors include genetic, health, and lifestyle factors. Healthcare professionals and decision makers are advised to promote the awareness of the general public on its risk factors to enhance the prevention of PGH. Public health initiatives include campaigns on smoking cessation, healthy nutrition, and mental health.

Adverse events following vaccinations have been noted for centuries, but as of recently, discussions concerning these adverse effects have increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent delivery of COVID-19 vaccinations. Through presenting new cases of such adverse events and reviewing the literature, we aim to facilitate the recognition of COVID-19 vaccine-induced autoimmune diseases that may occur in the years after the pandemic has been contained. We report on a case of biopsy-proven morphea after the COVID-19 vaccine, in which case the patient developed diffuse skin lesions all over her body. The patient was known to have chronic urticaria and received two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines. The patient started to notice itchy lesions on her arms two months after taking her second dose of the vaccine. This is the first case reported of generalized morphea following COVID-19 vaccination with another autoimmune disease and represents the first case of generalized morphea reported in the Middle East.