One year cross-sectional study of association between androgenetic alopecia and benign prostatic hyperplasia in a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are both androgen-dependent disorders in which the enzyme 5-alpha reductase plays a key role in conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. The purpose of this study is to analyze the association between AGA and BPH. Materials and Methods: Male patients between the age group of 25–45 years attending dermatology outpatient department at a tertiary care hospital with AGA during the period January 2015–December 2015 were included in the study. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee of Human Subjects Research. A short questionnaire recording their particulars and a detailed dermatological evaluation of the patient was done. All patients in the study were graded using Modified Hamilton-Norwood Classification, underwent transabdominal ultrasonogram and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level estimation. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Spearman's rank correlation. Results: Sixty-four patients were enrolled in the study. Nearly 39.1% of patients had Grade III AGA, 32.8% had Grade IV AGA, 25% had Grade V AGA, and 3.1% had Grade VI AGA. The minimum PSA level was 0.1 ng/ml and maximum was 4.8 ng/ml. The minimum prostate volume was 8.08 ml and maximum was 32.2 ml. Conclusion: Even though an increase in the prostate volume in AGA patients was noted, this study showed no association between AGA, prostate volume, and serum PSA levels.

Keywords

• Androgenetic alopecia
• benign prostatic hyperplasia
• prostate volume
• serum prostate-specific antigen level