A Study of Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Premenopausal Women With Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Background and objective Female pattern hair loss (FPHL), also known as androgenetic alopecia (AGA), is a condition where the hair follicles of genetically susceptible women gradually shrink and become thinner, leading to hair loss in a particular pattern. Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a collection of conditions that co-occur, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. This study aims to determine the prevalence of MS in premenopausal women in patients with FPHL. Methods and materials We conducted a case-control, hospital-based observational study at our institution for a period of two years, which included 62 patients, with 31 cases (patients with FPHL) and 31 controls (patients without FPHL). Results In some cases, the mean age was 29.81 years, while in controls, it was 28.84 years. The mean waist circumference (WC) in cases was 81.9 +/- 11.75 cm, and in controls, it was 72.65 +/- 8.86 cm, with a statistically significant p-value of 0.001. In some cases, the mean body mass index (BMI) was 26.28 +/- 4.09 kg/m², and in controls, it was 24.52 +/- 2.78 kg/m², with a statistically significant p-value of 0.013. Between cases and controls, there was no significant difference in the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting triglyceride levels, fasting HDL, and fasting insulin levels. Conclusion The study found a significant association between WC and BMI in patients with FPHL in premenopausal women. This highlights the need for early screening and preventive measures for MS in women presenting with FPHL.

Keywords: bmi; fphl; hair follicle; metabolic syndrome; waist circumference.