Association between androgenetic alopecia and hyperlipidemia: a comparative study

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common type of progressive balding that appears with early loss of hair، chiefly from the vertex. There has been significant relationship between AGA with coronary artery disease and related risk factors، such as hypertension in some studies. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between androgenetic alopecia with hyperlipidemia.

This cross-sectional study was performed on 112 patients with vertex type AGA (in male grade 3 or higher Hamilton- Norwood scale، and in female grade 2 or higher Ludwig scale) (study group) and 115 persons age and sex matched، with normal hair status (Normal group). None of participants had diabetes mellitus، hypothyroidism، liver disease، kidney disease and none of them had history of smoking and using drugs with effect on serum lipids. They were 20-35 years old and their body mass index were 20-30. Blood samples were obtained following 12 hours fasting status and serum levels of triglyceride (TG)، cholesterol، high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were determined using standard laboratory methods. Total cholesterol greater than 240 or TG greater than 200 or LDL greater than 160 or HDL less than 40 in men or HDL less than 50 in women were considered hyperlipidemia.

In androgenetic alopecia group 46. 4% and 47% of normal group were female. Mean (±SE) of total cholesterol (172. 4±3. 1، 148. 8±3. 1، P< 0. 001)، TG (133. 6±5. 5، 88. 3±4. 3، P< 0. 001)، LDL (96. 4±2. 9، 84. 9±2. 7، P= 0. 004) and HDL (54. 9±2. 0، 45. 5±0. 9، P< 0. 001) in AGA patients were higher than normal group. %46. 4 of patients and %52. 2 of controls had hyperlipidemia. Relationship between AGA with hyperlipidemia was not significant (P> 0. 05).

The findings showed that there is no relationship between AGA and hyperlipidemia. Regarding to high levels of total cholesterol، LDL and triglyceride in AGA patients، it seems that، AGA increases risk of coronary heart disease. To determine a definite association between AGA and hyperlipidemia more studies are recommended.