Association of early-onset androgenetic alopecia with metabolic syndrome: A case–control study on 46 patients in a tertiary care hospital in South India

Abstract

Background: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) has a significant psychosocial impact on the patient, especially early-onset AGA patients. The severity and prevalence increase with age in all races worldwide. “Metabolic syndrome” (MetS) is a combination of risk factors of cardiovascular and diabetes-related parameters. Aim of the Study: The aim of the study is to study the association of early-onset AGA with MetS. Materials and Methods: A case–control study was done in a tertiary care hospital, Bengaluru, from December 2015 to November 2016 with 46 cases and controls in the age group of 20–30 years. The Norwood–Hamilton classification was used to grade the AGA patients. Diagnosis of MetS was done based on the national cholesterol education program adult treatment Panel III. Independent t-test will be used as a test of significance. Categorical data were assessed using Chi-square test of significance. Value of P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: MetS was seen in 39.13% of cases and 4.35% of controls (P < 0.001) which was statistically significant. The mean systolic blood pressure (P = 0.017 and P < 0.05) was statistically significant when compared to healthy controls. However, no statistically significant values were seen in the mean values of other parameters. Conclusion: A higher prevalence of MetS was seen in early-onset AGA. Early screening for MetS is important in patients with early-onset AGA to minimize the complications in the future.

Keywords

• Androgenetic alopecia
• metabolic syndrome
• prevention