Study of prevalence of metabolic syndrome in androgenetic alopecia

Abstract

Background: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is commonly known as male pattern baldness has a prevalence of up to 50% in men worldwide. It occurs in most patients before the age of 40 years. It is characterized by a progressive conversion of terminal hair into miniaturized hair defined by various patterns. Various studies have shown that androgenetic alopecia have significant physical and psychological morbidity and a lowered dermatological life quality index. Methods: The study included 75 patients with clinical diagnosis of AGA and 75 age and sex matched controls. After taking complete history, general examination and thorough dermatological examination was performed in all cases to grade the severity of AGA. Fasting serum samples were taken from all cases and controls and assayed for fasting plasma glucose and lipid profile. Metabolic syndrome (MS) was diagnosed according to 2005 revised National Cholesterol Education Programme’s Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III). Chi square test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Metabolic syndrome was seen in 25 cases (33.3%) compared to 11 controls (14%), which was statistically significant (p=0.007). Statistically significant increased prevalence of raised TGL levels (p=0.002), raised LDL levels (p=0.024), low HDL levels (p=0.0001), diabetes mellitus (p=0.004) was also observed in AGA. Conclusions: There is a clear association between AGA and MS and there is statistically significant prevalence of MS in patients with increasing severity and duration of AGA. Screening is required for early detection of dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and MS in all patients of AGA to prevent long-term morbidity.