A study of biochemical factors and knowledge, attitude, and practice in patients with premature graying of hair

Abstract

Background and Design: Premature graying of hair (PGH) is a clinical entity with multiple ramifications such as low self- esteem, inferiority complex and may interfere with an individual's social interaction capabilities and adversely affect the individual's psychosocial health. This study aimed to investigate the biochemical factors and knowledge, attitude, and practice in patients with PGH. Materials and Methods: A case control study including 75 cases and equal number of age and sex matched controls was conducted in a tertiary care hospital. Various epidemiological variables and biochemical parameters (vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, iron profile, lipid profile, thyroid hormones) were ascertained and compared between the cases and controls. The severity of graying was assessed using the Graying Severity Score, and a knowledge, attitude, and practice study was conducted by administering a pre-validated questionnaire to assess the impact on the quality of life of these affected individuals. Results: Significant differences between cases and controls in the serum levels of biochemical parameters, namely Vitamin B12 (p=0.001), vitamin D (p=0.004), serum iron (p<0.001), ferritin (p<0.001) and total iron binding capacity, i.e TIBC (p=0.037) and thyroid hormones T4 (p=0.002) and thyroid stimulating hormone (p=0.041) was found. No correlation between PGH and serum calcium and lipid profile was derived. Also, a statistically significant difference was noted in the appetite pattern of cases and controls (p=0.003). Stress, smoking, altered sleep pattern and bowel habits were also more prevalent in cases as compared to controls. It was also noted that most study cases belonged to the lower middle class of the modified Kuppuswamy scale. The Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) study, which was extremely comprehensive and detailed in nature, showed that PGH significantly affects these patients' quality of life. Conclusion: The study reveals a strong association between PGH and deficiency of vitamin D, abnormal levels of vitamin B12, hypothyroidism and deranged iron profile, and altered appetite patterns. Along with this, the prevalence of stress, smoking, altered sleep patterns and bowel habits was also higher in PGH cases. Hence, all these parameters should be analysed in such patients. KAP analysis was a unique approach to studying common conceptions and practices in PGH cases and its' psychological impact.

Keywords

• premature
• grey hair
• biochemical parameters
• case control study
• kap analysis