Is Early-onset Androgenetic Alopecia Associated with Metabolic Syndrome? - A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Background: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), although considered medically benign, has been found to be associated with increased cardiovascular risk, especially in patients with early onset (≤ 30 years). Metabolic syndrome (MetS) comprises a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors predicting morbidity. Very few studies focused on early development of MetS in younger males and the association with the severity of AGA, necessitating further research.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of MetS in men with early-onset AGA and to assess if there is a positive correlation between the severity of AGA and the development of MetS and its components.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken in a tertiary care hospital from November 2020 to October 2022, on men in the age group of 18 - 40 years. 100 men with early-onset AGA (≤ 30 years) were included in the study. MetS was diagnosed as per the criteria by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), and American Heart Association/ National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (AHA/NHLBI). Chi-square test and student's t-test were used for statistical analysis.

Results: Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 63 (63%) of the patients. The prevalence of MetS (P = 0.006), elevated waist circumference (P = 0.006), elevated serum triglycerides (P = 0.011), and mean value of serum high-density lipoprotein (P = 0.05) was statistically significant in patients with severe AGA.

Conclusion: A high prevalence of metabolic syndrome was found in young males with early-onset AGA. Screening and lifestyle modifications should be enforced earlier to lessen cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in young male patients with AGA.