A case control study of relationship between body iron stores and non scarring diffuse hair loss in non menopausal women

Abstract

Introduction: Iron is involved in physiological processes of the hair cycle, iron deficiency (ID) is suspected to disrupt normal hair growth. The relationship between body iron status and hair loss has been investigated in a number of studies, with relatively discrepant findings. This study was taken up to support the importance of iron stores in non scarring diffuse hair loss in non menopausal women. Objective: To determine relationship between body iron stores and diffuse non-scarring hair loss in non-menopausal women. Materials and Methods: This was a controlled study of 40 women aged 15 years or older with diffuse hair loss (Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) /chronic telogen effluvium (CTE)) and 40 controls who had no history or physical findings of hair loss at terti ary hospital.Subjective hair loss was evaluated using a standardized questionnaire in all. The iron status was assessed by a serum ferriti n and hemoglobin levels. Statistical analysis: Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis using Mean ± standard deviation, Chi-square, Fisher Exact test and Student t test. Results: Analysis allowed us to identify three categories: “Absence of hair loss” in none (0%),“moderate hair loss” (82.5%) and “excessive hair loss” (17.5%). Among the women affected by hair loss there was statistically significant increase in the incidence of ID (Serum ferritin <40ug/L and Hb<12gd/L) in non menopausal women with diffuse hair loss 67.5%(n = 27) when compare to controls 22.5%(n = 9). Conclusion: Low iron stores are associated with diffuse hair loss in females in non menopausal women. Screening to establish these levels in cases of hair loss and supplementing with them when they are deficient is beneficial in the treatment of disease.