Association of Androgenetic Alopecia with Metabolic Syndrome.

Objective: To determine the association of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in either gender.

Study design: Descriptive study. Place and Duration of the Study: OPD complex, Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from February to August 2021.

Methodology: The study included a total of 90 patients who met the specified criteria for enrolment. Each group (case and control) contains 45 patients. Diagnosis of androgenetic 2 alopecia was done clinically and grading was based on the Norwood-Hamilton classification in males and Ludwig classification in females. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated and blood pressure was measured for all enrolled patients. Following an overnight fasting period, blood samples were collected from each patient to measure clinical parameters including triglycerides (TGs), fasting blood sugar (FBS), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels.

Results: There were 85.6% males and 4.4% females with a mean age of 43.38 years. Out of which, 34.4% and 15.6% of patients fell in severity 1 and severity 2 Class. Patients were stratified on the basis of AGA with respect to TGs, FBS, HDL, and BMI. The p-value was significant when stratified on the basis of BMI, FBS, and HDL except TGs. Odd ratio of both groups on the basis of (MetS) 8.1. Odd ratio between androgenic alopecia and metabolic syndrome was of 2.4.

Conclusion: An association existed between androgenetic alopecia and metabolic syndrome indicating the potential benefit of early MetS screening for individuals with androgenic alopecia. This proactive approach could help prevent unforeseen complications through timely lifestyle adjustments.

Key words: Metabolic syndrome, Androgenic alopecia, Cholesterol, Triglycerides.