Androgenetic alopecia- Role of androgen levels

Abstract

Introduction: Androgenetic alopecia is a genetically determined disorder characterized by increased level of local androgen metabolites and increase androgen receptor binding in genetically predisposed men. AIM is to study the levels of androgens in males between 18 to 35 yrs with progressive male pattern hair loss (Androgenetic alopecia) with respect to certain demographic variables and clinical severity. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study on levels of androgens in males between 18 to 35 years was taken up. A total of 27 males clinically diagnosed as androgenetic alopecia were included. Serum dehydro epiandrosterone sulphate and testosterone were estimated. The results were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19. Results: Mean ages of patients were 25 years. Mean age of onset was 23 years. Family history was positive in 66.70% and significantly related to clinical severity (p 0.05). Most common type was Hamilton Type II pattern observed in 49% patients. Clinical severity was moderate (Hamilton Type II and III) in 51.9% cases. DHEA-S levels were elevated in 14.8%cases. Higher mean DHEA-S levels were significantly associated with greater clinical severity (p 0.05).Testosterone levels were normal in 92.6%. Conclusion: In our study there is a significant association of family history to androgenic alopecia. However there is no significant difference in the mean levels of androgens in groups with and without family history. Hamilton Norwood Type II pattern was the most prevalent clinical pattern noticed in the study. Testosterone levels are normal in 92.6%. Increased mean levels of DHEA-S is significantly (P 0.05) associated with increased clinical severity of male pattern androgenic alopecia.