Association of Components of Metabolic Syndrome with Female Pattern Alopecia: A Case Control Study from Kashmir

Various studies about the relationship between androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and various components of the metabolic syndrome have been conducted in the past especially in males, and there is paucity of data in females.

To study the association between female AGA and various components of metabolic syndrome in Kashmiri population.

In this hospital based study, female patients of androgenetic alopecia were included in the study after excluding other causes of hair loss, from history, clinical examination, and relevant investigations. Various components of the metabolic syndrome were measured by the same dermatologist and investigations obtained from the same hospital laboratory.

35.71% of cases and 32.35% of controls were overweight, and 21.43% patients compared to 25% control group had moderate obesity. 50% patients and 28.67% in the control group had increased waist circumference and 50% of cases showed hypertriglyceridemia compared to 29.41% in control group. Cholesterol levels were elevated in 14.28% cases, compared to 18.38% in control group. LDL levels were raised in 28.57% cases, compared to 15.44% in control group. HDL levels were lower in 7.14% cases compared to 22.79% in control group. Raised blood pressure was found in 14.28% cases, compared to 18.38% controls. Elevated glucose levels were found in 14.28% patients, compared to 34.59% in control group. Polycystic ovarian pathology was detected in 21.43% cases, compared to 10.29% in control group.

Differences between cases and control regarding various components of the metabolic syndrome were noted, with statistically significant results with respect to raised waist circumference, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL, and raised blood glucose levels. Diagnostic criteria of metabolic syndrome was not however applicable to any of the cases in study or control group.