Early onset androgenetic alopecia in men and associated risk factors: a hospital based study

Abstract

Background: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common form of hair loss affecting up to 80% of the men. It manifests mostly after puberty and is evident by the age of 30. Nowadays the onset of AGA is much earlier and most of them develop AGA in early twenties. Risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption and prevalence of AGA in the family are considered to contribute to the early onset. Aims: To estimate the prevalence of and to determine risk factors for AGA in adult males.Methods: A total of 103 patients above 18 years of age attending the dermatology OPD were included in the study. Epidemiological data was collected using a standard questionnaire.Results: In the study population, 68% patients were in the age group 21-30 years. No association was noted between smoking and the age of onset of AGA. An early age of onset was associated in patients with history of alcohol consumption (73.3%). Prevalence of familial AGA was seen in 68% and had a paternal inheritance (62.8%) more than maternal (8.6%). Associated systemic diseases were seen in 12.6% of the patients and hypertension was the most common.Conclusions: AGA is a very common presenting complaint in the younger population. The early onset of AGA itself causes anxiety and apprehension in the patients that further contribute to the hair loss. The presence of a family history in the patients’ needs for an early management of the disorder. Environmental factors like smoking and alcohol consumption thought to play a role in the aetiology of the disease.