Prevalence, severity and associated factor of androgenetic alopecia in the dermatology outpatient clinic: A retrospective study

Abstract

Introduction and Objectives: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a patterned hair loss that occurs due to systemic androgen and genetic factors. In both genders, it is the most common cause of hair loss. Individual affected by AGA is suffering from social stigma, psychological distress and emotional misery. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and severity of androgenetic alopecia in the Indian population. Additionally, we have studied the association of family history, accompanying systemic diseases, body mass index [BMI], alcohol consumption and smoking, menstrual cycle and hyperandrogenemia with androgenetic alopecia in patients who were referred to our outpatient clinic. Materials and Methods: The study included patients who referred to our clinic from November 2016 to October 2017. A total of 210 patients suffering from AGA were included in the study. To evaluate the factors associated with AGA, a control group (non-AGA group, 50 patients) was organized. The diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia was made upon clinical findings only. Patient’s age, gender, weight, height, the pattern of hair loss, the history of other systemic diseases, family history of AGA, concomitant hyperandrogenemia symptoms, alcohol consumption and smoking habits have been reported. Details regarding the menstrual cycle have been recorded in women. Results: The prevalence of androgenetic alopecia was 79% in men and 21% in women. Type I and II were the most common type in men, and grade I was in women. In men, AGA prevalence (Men: n=166, r =0.728, P =.164) was positively correlated with age but, a statistically significant difference could not be obtained and, severity was positively correlated with age (n=166, r =0.174, P =.025). While, in women, prevalence (n=44, r =0.020, P =.975) and severity (n=44, r =0.090, P =.575) was not correlated with age. In the multivariate model, family history ( OR : 16.86, 95% CI : 5.14-55.30, P =.000) was statistically significant covariat