Distinguishing Three Classes of Androgenetic Alopecia based on Concerns in Youth: Latent Class Analysis of a Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Background: While androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common condition, the concerns of youth about this condition, and how these concerns influence quality of life, personal well-being and health behaviour have been not been thoroughly investigated.Methods: Thai youth were asked to complete an AGA-related questionnaire including the dermatology life quality index, to assess their concerns and the clinical relevance. Latent class analysis was used for data analysis.Results: Data from 278 youth were collected. The mean participant age was 22 years (SD=0.79), and 57% of the participants were men; 94.6% of the participants reported any hair loss, mostly in the AGA severity of grade 1-2. A three-class model showed the best fit. Latent class 1 (LC1) participants (58%) had the lowest probabilities of concerns regarding AGA. LC2 participants (22%) had a generally low probabilities of AGA concerns, except when they were flirting, when they were with their lover and regarding how their hair looked when they were photographed. LC3 participants (20%) were the most concerned about AGA in all aspects. Compared with LC1 participants, LC3 participants were more often to use more than 3 hair styling products (relative risk, 6.7;1.5-29.6;P=0.013) and their AGA severity was more severe in both males (relative risk, 3.2;1.1-8.9;P=0.023) and females (relative risk,10.2; 3.3-31.0;P=<0.001).Conclusions: Youths who are more worried about AGA experience higher AGA severity and poorer quality of life, and are more likely to use multiple hair styling products.

Beliefs Perceptions and Knowledge among Alopecia Areata patients: A Cross-Sectional Study in the University of Lahore

“…6 The clinical severity of AA patients is a good indicator of a further decline in quality of life and psychological well-being. 7 This is a multi-factorial disease, in the etiology and development of which there are many environmental, immunological, psychological and genetic factors. In addition, it may be associated with other diseases.…”