The Relationship between Seborrheic Dermatitis and Androgenetic Alopecia in Patients Referred to a Skin Clinic in Tehran, Iran: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a common skin problem that generally affects the scalp. SD causes scale-like parts, skin redness, and persistent dandruff, which can also affect the fatty parts of the body. Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is an androgen-dependent hereditary disorder characterized by progressive thinning of hair with various patterns. Objectives: Considering that AGA is probably related to race, genetics, and geographical conditions, and timely treatment of SD and AGA is critical, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between SD and AGA. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on patients with AGA referred to the skin clinic of Rasoul-Akram Hospital in Tehran, Iran, in 2021. Among the mentioned patients, 250 were randomly selected by easy sampling. The patient's age, gender, occupation, marital status, history of skin, hormonal, or systemic disease, medical history, medication history, smoking history, alcohol intake, and family history of hair loss are all required information after obtaining informed consent from the patient. Skin color and face and skin type were recorded by a researcher-made checklist. Then, the patients were examined in terms of SD, and finally, the collected data were analyzed using SPSS software Version 24 and relevant statistical tests. Results: The average age of the studied patients was 35.64 ± 8.11 169 (67.2%) were women, and 81 (32.8%) were men. The highest severity of SD was grade 1 in 116 people (46.6%). There was a significant relationship between the severity of SD and the history of hair loss in the family (P = 0.03). In addition, there was a significant correlation between the pattern of AGA in men and the severity of SD (P < 0.05). The study showed a significant relationship between dandruff symptoms and AGA patterns (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Based on the results, this issue should be evaluated with more precision and follow-up due to the relationship between the severity of SD and the AGA pattern. Moreover, eliminating the symptoms of dandruff can help in improving hair loss. In addition, evaluating a person's medical history and family history is essential to determining the pattern of hair loss, preventing its progression, and timely treatment of this problem.