Clinical Profile of Androgenic Alopecia and Its Association with Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is a hereditary androgen-dependent disorder, characterized by gradual conversion of terminal hair into miniaturized hair and defined by various patterns. Common age group affected is between 30 and 50 years. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors that include diabetes and prediabetes, abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. The relationship between androgenic alopecia and MetS is still poorly understood.

The aim was to study the clinical profile of androgenic alopecia and its association with cardiovascular risk factors.

This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study done on men in the age group of 25-40 years. Fifty clinically diagnosed cases with early-onset androgenic alopecia of Norwood Grade III or above and fifty controls without androgenic alopecia were included in the study. Data collected included anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, family history of androgenic alopecia, history of alcohol, smoking; fasting blood sugar, and lipid profile were done. MetS was diagnosed as per the new International Diabetes Federation criteria. Chi-square and Student's t-test were used for statistical analysis.

MetS was seen in 5 (10%) cases and 1 (2%) control (P=0.092). Abdominal obesity, hypertension, and lowered high-density lipoprotein were significantly higher in patients with androgenic alopecia when compared to that of the controls.

A higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors was seen in men with early-onset androgenic alopecia. Early screening for MetS and its components may be beneficial in patients with early-onset androgenic alopecia.