Androgenetic alopecia and coronary artery disease in women

The meaningful association of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and coronary artery disease (CAD) in men has been documented, but few studies, if any, have focused on this association in women. This study was carried out on 106 women under the age 55, who completed angiography procedures for diagnosis of coronary artery disease. The aim of study was to assess the relationship between androgenetic alopecia and coronary heart disease in women. The clinical and paraclinical information was obtained by personal interview, physical examination, and review of patients' files. Androgenetic alopecia in the patients was assessed blindly by a dermatologist, using Ludwig's baldness grading system (I to III). According to the angiographic studies, 51 cases had CAD and 55 subjects did not. On the other hand, 21 patients had female AGA (Grade I, 15; Grade II, 3; Grade III, 3 cases). The correlation of AGA and CAD, AGA and previous history of myocardial infarction, and graying of hair and CAD were statistically significant (p < 0.05), after adjustment of data for differences in age. These data support the hypothesis that female AGA, like male pattern baldness, is associated with CAD in women under the age 55.