Cross sectional quality of life assessment in patients with androgenetic alopecia

Abstract

Assessment of quality of life (QOL) of patients with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) has become increasingly important, both in order to evaluate the influence of the disease on patients and the therapy they require. We aimed to assess QOL in subjects complaining from AGA and evaluated the effects of various sociodemographic factors affecting their QOL. QOL was assessed in 400 patients with AGA and 100 controls using the World Health Organization Quality of life (WHOQOL‐BREF) questionnaire. Four domains (physical, psychological, social, and environmental) and two items (overall perception of QOL and health) of the WHOQOL‐BREF were the primary end points of this study. Patients had a lower QoL and less general satisfaction in all four domains of assessment than controls. The social impact was significantly higher in patients < 30 years of age (P = .003). Patients with severer form of AGA significantly had higher scores in all domains compared to those with less severe forms. Disease severity negatively impacted all the four domains significantly (P = .021). AGA harmfully affected the patient's QOL which warns the physicians to pay more attention to QOL impairment in patients of AGA for the better understanding of the disease burden on individual patients.

Implications of cigarette smoking on early‐onset androgenetic alopecia: A cross‐sectional Study

“…Associations between tobacco smoking and the severity of AGA have not been studied intensively. A number of environmental factors were reported to be responsible for the early‐onset and development of AGA 15 …”

Management of psychocutaneous disorders: A practical approach for dermatologists

“…Regarding the group of skin diseases linked with secondary psychiatric comorbidities, in a study by Elsaie et al 23 about androgenetic alopecia (AGA), the social impact of this dermatosis was significantly higher in patients less than 30 years of age compared to those above 30 years of age. Patients with severer forms of AGA, and longer duration of the condition significantly had higher scores in all domains of QoL, assessed by the World Health Organization Quality of life questionnaire (physical, psychological, social, and environmental) compared to those with less severe forms and shorter duration.…”

“…Thus, acne correlated with self-esteem and feelings of shame, as well as stigmatization and subsequent poorer QoL 22. Regarding the group of skin diseases linked with secondary psychiatric comorbidities, in a study by Elsaie et al23 about androgenetic alopecia (AGA), the social impact of this dermatosis was significantly higher in patients less than 30 years of age compared to those above 30 years of age. Patients with severer forms of AGA, and longer duration of the condition significantly had higher scores in all domains of QoL, assessed by the World Health Organization Quality of life questionnaire (physical, psychological, social, and environmental) compared to those with less severe forms and shorter duration.5 | LIAISON CLINICS/INTEGRATED CARE MODELS To assist patients with psychocutaneous disorders, physicians around the world have created novel clinics specifically designed to provide a multidisciplinary care for a comprehensive patient treatment.…”

Comorbidities in Androgenetic Alopecia: A Comprehensive Review

“…Therefore, hair loss brings many troubles to people, such as impaired image, impacted self-confidence, failure of a marriage, and love, and may impact people's health. Studies have shown that hair loss can cause various psychological difficulties, such as anxiety, depression, and trauma, and further impair quality of life (QoL) [ 1 – 3 ]. Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), commonly known as male or female pattern baldness, is the most common progressive hair loss disorder [ 4 ].…”