Role of serum androgens and prostate-specific antigen levels in men with androgenetic alopecia

Abstract

Background Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common form of hair loss. It is caused by continuous miniaturization of affected hair follicles. Genetic factors and androgenic factors especially dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a testosterone tissue metabolite, play major roles in the pathogenesis of AGA. Many studies suggest that AGA may be a marker of increased risk of prostate cancer. Objective The aim of the study was to determine the role of serum androgens and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in men with AGA. Patients and methods The study included 80 participants: 40 men were diagnosed with AGA and 40 age-matched healthy male volunteers served as a control group. The authors also divided patient groups into two subgroups: frontal AGA group and vertical AGA group. All participants were subjected to measurement of serum level of T, DHT, and PSA by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results This study showed that mean serum level of testosterone and DHT in patients with AGA was higher than that in the control group and mean serum level of testosterone in the vertical AGA group was higher than that in the frontal AGA group. There was no significant difference between patients and controls regarding mean serum level of PSA. Conclusion This study showed that serum androgens play an important role in the development of AGA and there is a strong association between serum level of androgens and staging of AGA, whether frontal or vertical.