Serum prostate specific antigen levels in women with androgenetic alopecia

Abstract

Background and Design: The role of androgens in androgenetic alopecia (AGA) patogenesis is well known. Studies set forth that ultrasensitive serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) analysis could be a biochemical marker of hyperandrogenism in women with hirsutism. Serum PSA levels in women with AGA can be used as an indicator of the effect of androgens in target organs. The aim of this study was to investigate serum PSA levels in women with AGA. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 female patients and a voluntary group of 67 healthy women were evaluated in this research. The diagnosis of AGA was established through history, dermotological evaluation and hair pull test. The degree of hair loss was categorized using the Ludwig scale. Total and free PSA were measured by an “Roche Cobas e 601 immunoassay analyser using the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay” method. Results: Twenty-nine patients (29%) had Ludwig 1, 64 (64%) had Ludwig 2, and 7 (7%) had Ludwig 3 hair loss. Total testosterone level was significantly higher in patient group than in control group (p=0.03). The levels of free PSA, total PSA, prolactin, ferritin, cortisol, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and estradiol were within the normal limits in both patient and control groups and there was no statistically significant difference between the groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: In our study, there was no statistically significant difference in serum free PSA (p=0.084) and total PSA (p=0.285) levels. However, further large-scale studies are warranted.