Metabolic Syndrome among Patients with Androgenic Alopecia in a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross- Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Androgenetic alopecia is a common, non-scarring alopecia which is a heritable and androgen-dependent condition. Metabolic syndrome is defined as a collection of clinical signs that include increased waist circumference and elevated triglycerides, glucose, and blood pressure and decreased high- density lipoprotein. This study aimed to find out the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with androgenetic alopecia.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with androgenic alopecia in tertiary care center from 01 May 2021 to 15 June 2022 after receiving ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee. Patients above 16 years of age were included in the study. Patients on anabolic therapy, pregnant and lactating women, patients suffering from psychiatric illness were excluded from the study. Convenience sampling method was used. Point prevalence and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated.

Results: Among 60 androgenic alopecia cases, 12 (20%) [9.87%–30.13%, 95% Confidence Interval] patients had metabolic syndrome. The mean age of onset of androgenetic alopecia was 26.20±6.74 years.

Conclusions: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in androgenetic alopecia patients is found to be similar to other studies done in similar settings.