Frequency, severity and related factors of androgenetic alopecia in dermatology outpatient clinic: hospital-based cross-sectional study in Turkey

Abstract

BACKGROUNDAndrogenetic alopecia (AGA) is a patterned hair loss occurring due to systemic androgen and genetic factors. It is the most common cause of hair loss in both genders. In recent years, many studies investigating the relation between systemic diseases and androgenetic alopecia presented controversial results.OBJECTIVESIn this study we aimed to investigate the frequency of androgenetic alopecia, the presence of accompanying systemic diseases, the relation between body mass index and androgenetic alopecia severity and the association of hyperandrogenemia signs with androgenetic alopecia in patients who referred to our outpatient clinic.METHODSPatients who referred to our clinic between October 2013 and May 2014 were included in the study. Diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia was made upon clinical findings. Presence of seborrhea and acne in both genders, and hirsutism in women, were examined. Age, gender, smoking habit and alcohol consumption, age of onset of androgenetic alopecia, family history, accompanying systemic diseases and abnormalities of menstrual cycle were recorded.RESULTS954 patients (535 women, 419 men) were included in the study. Androgenetic alopecia prevalence found was 67.1% in men and 23.9% in women. Androgenetic alopecia prevalence and severity were correlated with age in both genders (p=0,0001). Frequency of accompanying systemic diseases were not significantly different between patients with and without androgenetic alopecia (p=0,087), except for hypertension, which was significantly more frequent in men with androgenetic alopecia aged between 50 and 59 years. Study limitations: Despite the exclusion of other causes of alopecia, differentiation of Ludwig grade 1 AGA from telogen effluvium based on clinical features alone is difficult.CONCLUSIONSIn our study the rate of androgenetic alopecia was found to be higher than the other studies made in Asian and Caucasian populations.

Ultrasound Characteristics of the Hair Follicles and Tracts, Sebaceous Glands, Montgomery Glands, Apocrine Glands, and Arrector Pili Muscles

“…However, to date, common dermatologic disorders still present unclear points in their physiopathologic characteristics and management . The ability to noninvasively detect the normal morphologic characteristics of the hair and adnexal glands can allow identification of early subclinical abnormalities in many dermatologic conditions that affect millions of people worldwide, such as alopecia and acne …”

“…detect the normal morphologic characteristics of the hair and adnexal glands can allow identification of early subclinical abnormalities in many dermatologic conditions that affect millions of people worldwide, such as alopecia and acne. 3,4 Hair is a complex and dynamic structure that is one of the main hallmarks of mammals and a distinctive characteristic of an individual. 5 The presence of an excessive amount or its loss can strongly affect self-esteem.…”

<p>Androgenetic Alopecia: Relationship to Anthropometric Indices, Blood Pressure and Life-Style Habits</p>

“…10 Conversely, some studies have denied any relationship between high BMI or smoking and androgenetic alopecia. 11 The association of hypertension and androgenetic alopecia has also been investigated in several studies, but the results are discrepant. Some studies show a strong relationship between androgenetic alopecia and hypertension, 12 while others fail to show such association.…”

Types of hairline recession in androgenetic alopecia and perceptions of aging in Asian males

“…6 As a result of numerous factors, mainly androgens and genetic inheritance, along with stress and bad life habits, many young males suffer from AGA with recession of the frontal hairline, which also occurs in older males. 7 Compared with older males, young males have a greater decrease in the quality of life, reduced self-confidence, and if visible, may even have depression. 8 Previous study has always revealed that the cranial hair loss caused older appearance in Western males.…”