Early onset androgenic alopecia in males, a marker for metabolic syndrome? A case control study

Background: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is characterized by hair loss in a patterned manner. Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of inter-related risk factors increasing the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Recently, few studies have linked early onset AGA to the risk of developing MS. However, there is a paucity of studies describing their association in Indian literature.

Aim of the Study: The aim was to analyze the association between early onset androgenetic alopecia and metabolic syndrome as well as its individual parameters.

Materials and Methods: A case control study was conducted for 2-year duration (January 2018 to December 2019). Hundred cases with AGA grade ≥ 3 in the age group of 18-35 years and 100 age and sex matched controls without AGA were enrolled. AGA was graded according to Modified Norwood Hamilton scale. MS was diagnosed on the basis of International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definition. Statistical analysis was done using percentages, mean and standard deviation while statistical significance was assessed with the help of Fischer’s test and student t test.

Results: The mean age in cases was 26.03 ± 4.42 and controls was 26.25 ± 4.93years respectively. Most of the cases had grade 3 AGA (27%). MS was present in 24% of Cases with AGA as compared with 9% of the control group. Significant association was found between early onset AGA and prevalence of MS (p=0.004, p<0.05). We found a significantly higher prevalence (p<0.05) of elevated blood pressure, elevated diastolic blood pressure, deranged blood glucose levels and elevated Triglyceride levels in cases compared to the control group.

Conclusion: We found a significant association between early onset androgenetic alopecia and metabolic syndrome. Thus, it is advisable to screen patients with AGA in early ages for MS to prevent significant cardiovascular morbidity.