Methods of treatment patients with androgenetic alopecia based on reference of Department of Dermatology in Cracow

Abstract

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA in men/female pattern hair loss FPHL in women) has been associated with the most frequent culprit of hair loss concerning both men and women. It may be viewed as chronic, progressive, non scarring type of hair loss. The main factor in its pathophysiological mechanism plays genetic susceptibility to androgens of certain individuals. Increased level of androgens shown to be the cause in men, whereas in women this level may be elevated or normal. For the management of the condition topical treatment with minoxidil has been approved, as well as orally administered finasteryd, spironolakton or dutasteride.

Aim: The main objective of this research project was to study the patients with AGA in terms of gender, age, prescribed treatment and hormone dysfunctions.

Materials and methods: The analyzed population consisted of 104 patients treated in dermatology department in Cracow in three years period (2015-2018) for AGA. Initially, demographic characteristics and treatment were tested. The next step of the analysis was the comparison of groups according to gender and, what is more among women according to age (up to 45 and >45 years of age). Statistical analysis was performed with U Mann-Whitney and Chi square Pearsons tests.

Results: The majority of patients participating in the study were women (87,5%). The average age of the study population was 45,5±15,5 years of age. The most frequently ordered medicine was minoxidil 5% solution (82,2% of patients), besides polytherapy of two medicines were applied in 45,8% of patients. In the study group hypothyroidism was observed in 10.6% of patients. The examined group of women were older than men (48.3 vs. 25.8 years; p<0.0001). Male patients were more often ordered systemic treatment (52.9 vs.15,4%; p=0.0012), whereas topical treatment was more often applied to women (94.5 vs. 69.2; p=0.0024). Women usually were ordered more than one medicine in contrast to men (44.0 vs. 15.4%; p=0.0495). Therefore no significant difference between women up to 45 and >45 years of age was observed.

Conclusions: Statistically significant occurrence of hypothyroidism was observed. Therefore this connection requires further studies. Other endocrinological dysfunctions like acne, hirsutism or menstrual disorder were relatively rare.

Keywords: AGA; FPHL; alopecia; androgenetic alopecia; finasteride; hair loss; minoxidil; spironolactone; treatment.