Prevalence of androgenic alopecia in 14- to 18-year-old female high school students in Shiraz

Androgenic alopecia is one of the most common dermatological disorders. Hormonal and genetic factors determine the incidence of alopecia. Androgenic alopecia is the most common form of hair loss. It is progressive and symmetric in both sexes. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of androgenic alopecia in 14- to 18-year-old female high school students in Shiraz. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 3190 14- to 18-year-old female high school students in Shiraz. A questionnaire was designed to collect personal information and record clinical features of androgenic alopecia. Moderate and severe hair losses were defined as alopcia. For evaluation of alopecia associated with polycystic ovary syndrome, total and free testosterone blood levels were measured and abdominal ultrasound was performed. The collected data were described and analyzed through performing chi-square, Fisher's exact and and t tests using SPSS. 135 (4.2%) of participants had moderate to severe alopecia according to Ludwig's classification. No statistically significant correlation was observed in the mean of eather total or free testosterone levels between patients with androgenic alopecia, and those without (P>0.05). There was no statistical significant association between alpocia and polycystic ovary existence (P=0.2). This study did not show a statistically significant relationship between patients with alopecia and androgenic hormones and polycystic ovary syndrome.