METABOLIC SYNDROME IN PATIENTS WITH ANDROGENETIC ALOPECIA IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Background: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a hereditary androgen-dependent disorder, characterized by a progressive decline in hair fibre production by scalp hair follicles and their eventual miniaturization. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of inter-related risk factors that increase the risk of coronary artery disease. Despite the high burden of Androgenetic Alopecia and Metabolic Syndrome in India, specific data on the participants are relatively sparse.   Methods: A total of 126 patients of androgenetic alopecia (age range 18-55 years; mean age 30.83±10.37 years; 83.3% males) falling in sampling frame were enrolled in the study and were assessed clinically, anthropometrically and biochemically. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed using Joint interim statement of International Diabetes Federation, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, American Heart Association, World Health Federation, International Atherosclerosis Society, and International Association of the Study of Obesity criteria.   Results: Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) was 29.4% in 126 cases of Androgenetic Alopecia. The P Value was <0.001 for obesity (52.4%), hypertension (35.7%), low HDL cholesterol (21.4%), hypertriglyceridemia (13.5%) and high fasting glucose (12.7%) respectively. Patients with higher severity grade of AGA had significantly higher prevalence of MetS and its components.   Conclusions: Metabolic Syndrome showed a positive relation with Androgenetic Alopecia. Early screening for Metabolic Syndrome is beneficial in patients with androgenic alopecia to prevent them from developing coronary artery disease.