Publication:

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in male patients of early onset androgenic alopecia compared to age matched controls

Background Androgenic alopecia is most common type of non-scarring alopecia in men. It is associated with high risk of cardiovascular events. Aim was to study the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in male patients of early onset androgenic alopecia.

Methods A case-control study was conducted at the dermatology out-patient department over a period of 6 months which included 100 patients of androgenic alopecia and 100 age matched controls. All subjects were aged 20 to 35 years and underwent detailed history, clinical examination including trichoscopic examination and measurement of waist circumference and blood pressure. Fasting blood sugar, triglyceride and high-density lipoproteins were tested following overnight fasting. Diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was based on criteria of national cholesterol education program (NCEP) adult treatment panel III. Chi square test was used as a test of significance. P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was more in androgenic alopecia patients than in controls (48% versus 18%, p value <0.001). Androgenic alopecia patients had higher prevalence of increased waist circumference (76% versus 28%, p value <0.0001), increased diastolic blood pressure (32% versus 12%, p value=0.007), increased serum triglycerides (46% versus 24%, p value=0.0011) and decreased serum high-density lipoproteins (36% versus 18%, p value=0.0042) compared to controls.

Conclusions Early screening for metabolic syndrome and its components is beneficial in patients with androgenic alopecia to reduce cardiovascular mortality.