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Alopecia and its association with coronary heart disease and cardiovascular risk factors: a meta-analysis

Nelson Trieu1, Guy D Eslick1

  • 1The Whiteley-Martin Research Centre, Discipline of Surgery, The University of Sydney, Nepean Hospital, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia.

International Journal of Cardiology
|August 25, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Alopecia increases the risk of coronary heart disease and related cardiovascular issues like hypertension and metabolic syndrome. Greater hair loss severity correlates with higher coronary heart disease risk.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Alopecia is linked to increased coronary heart disease (CHD) risk.
  • Associated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors include hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, and hypertension.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantitatively assess the risk of CHD and associated risk factors in individuals with alopecia.
  • To perform a meta-analysis to determine the pooled risk estimates.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature search across multiple databases.
  • Pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) calculated using a random-effects model.

Main Results:

  • 31 studies with 29,254 participants showed alopecia is associated with increased CHD risk (OR 1.22, 95% CI: 1.07-1.39).
  • Significant associations found for hyperinsulinemia (OR 1.97), insulin resistance (OR 4.88), metabolic syndrome (OR 4.49), and elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
  • Increased risk observed for hypertension, including higher systolic (OR 1.73) and diastolic blood pressures (OR 1.59).

Conclusions:

  • Alopecia is associated with a higher risk of coronary heart disease.
  • A dose-response relationship exists: greater alopecia severity correlates with increased CHD risk.
  • Alopecia is linked to increased risks of hypertension, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and dyslipidemia.
Abstract

Keywords:
AlopeciaCoronary heart diseaseDyslipidaemiaHypertensionInsulin resistanceMeta-analysis

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