Is early onset androgenetic alopecia related to hyperuricemia? A case control study

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Early onset androgenetic alopecia (AGA) ensues before age of 35 years and develops stage 3 in Hamilton-Norwood classification. AGA is more noticeable in males. Early onset AGA has been linked to hyperuricemia (a metabolic disorder characterised by elevated levels of serum uric acid) but has been explored inadequately. Hyperuricemia (HU) corroborates with the presence of hypertension, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Given the above and lack of data in this context, a study in this regard was necessary. This study was intended to relate the prevalence of HU and level of serum uric acid (SUA) levels in patients of early onset AGA versus matched controls and determine correlation between the severity of alopecia and serum uric acid and between the SUA and age (secondary objectives). Materials and Methods: Each patient was evaluated by taking history, clinical examination and laboratory investigation. Results: The groups were not different from each other with respect to age (p=0.5). The SUA in the AGA patient group was greater than in the control group; however the difference was not statistically significant. (p=0.2). AGA patients were found to have higher number of hyperuricemics as compared to the control group (Chi square test P=0.03, Odds ratio=0.39). There was no correlation between the severity of alopecia or the age of the subject with SUA. Conclusion: Our study found that men who have early onset AGA tend to have higher serum uric acid levels; also, hyperuricemics are commoner in patients who have early onset AGA than in controls.