Correlation of androgenetic alopecia and early onset coronary heart disease in men Print

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the main cause of death in all countries. In addition to the known risk factors, other causes may be related to this disease. The association of CHD with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) has been a subject of discussion which can be explained on the grounds that testosterone level increases in androgenetic alopecia. The aim of this study was to assess this correlation in the men less than 50 years of age. This case-control study included 250 men less than 50 years of age, who had referred to Imam Ali Hospital in Kermanshah for evaluation of chest pain and exercise test (EST). The participants were divided into two groups: 120 men with positive EST in the case group and 130 men with negative EST in the control group. The history, clinical, and paraclinical information were obtained and recorded in questionnaires. Pattern of alopecia was assessed based on Hamilton baldness scale by a dermatologist. Using SPSS version 16, data were analyzed by Mann–Whitney U test, and Kruskal–Wallis test. Findings of this study revealed a significant relationship between AGA and early onset of IHD in men (P=0.04). Men with AGA (especially vertex alopecia) had positive EST 1.5 times more than those with normal hair pattern. Also, AGA showed a significant correlation with high blood pressure, total cholesterol, LDL level, and higher level of free testosterone. Increased level of testosterone in AGA can accelerate atherosclerosis in men with early AGA, especially vertex pattern, which may result in IHD. This process can advance rapidly in the presence of systolic hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. Therefore, we recommend evaluation of coronary heart disease and control of its risk factors in adult men with early onset AGA.