Abstract
Background: Low serum level of Vitamin D may have a potential role in the pathogenesis of female pattern hair loss (FPHL). Aims: to evaluate serum vitamin D level in Iraqi women with female pattern hair loss and compare it with normal healthy control. Settings and Design: A prospective, case–control study was carried out on 190 women: 95 patients with FPHL aged ≥15 years and 95 healthy age-matched control. Methods and Material: The diagnosis and severity of FPHL were based on clinical examination and using Ludwig classification. All participants were investigated for vitamin D level, alkaline phosphatase, and others. Data were collected and statistically analyzed. Results: The mean± SD level for vitamin D was significantly lower in FPHL group than control (13.8±2.6 ng/mL vs 37.6±4.7ng/mL, p<0.001). Eighty two patients (86.1%) of FPHL group and 35 (36.9%) of control group had low vitamin D level (p<0.001). Alkaline phosphatase level was significantly elevated in 77of FPHL compared to control group((81% versus 19%, p <0.001). Low vitamin D level was significantly correlated with duration of hair loss , alkaline phosphatase elevation and bone pain. Conclusions: Women with low serum vitamin D level, would have a high potential for development of FPHL suggesting that vitamin D may have a possible role in the etiopathogenesis of this pattern of hair loss..
Highlights
Female pattern hair loss [FPHL] is one of the most common complaints among female patients referred to dermatology clinics
Ludwig grade I alopecia was found in the majority of our patients (73%), which was in line with the studies of Sarda,[4] Zhang et al,. and Aktan et al there was a small number of patients with the severe form of FPHL, we found that the level of vitamin D was significantly lower in grade III alopecia compared to grade II and I suggest that the severity of hair loss was directly correlated with the degree of vitamin D deficiency
The present study showed that vitamin D threshold level of 28.75 ng/mL and below had 90% sensitivity and 91% specificity for FPHL
Summary
Female pattern hair loss [FPHL] is one of the most common complaints among female patients referred to dermatology clinics. It is the most common cause of alopecia involving 6-12 % of women aged 20-30 years and over 55% of women aged over 70 years. Low serum level of Vitamin D may have a potential role in the pathogenesis of female pattern hair loss (FPHL). Low vitamin D level was significantly correlated with the duration of hair loss, alkaline phosphatase elevation, and symptom of bone pain. Conclusions: Women with low serum vitamin D levels have a high potential for the development of FPHL suggesting that vitamin D may have a possible role in the etiopathogenesis of this pattern of hair loss
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