The comparison of demographics and comorbidities of female pattern hair loss according to the clinical subtype and stage

Abstract

Background: Previous literature regarding the frequencies of each subtype of female pattern hair loss is contradictory and the subtypes have not been compared to each other in terms of their epidemiologic characteristics and relationships with comorbid diseases.

Objectives: The aims of this study are to determine the frequency and the relationship with comorbidities for each subtype, and to determine the relationship of clinical stage with age and comorbid diseases.

Methods: This is a prospective cross-sectional study involving patients with a definitive diagnosis of female pattern hair loss. The age, age at the time of diagnosis, family history for androgenetic alopecia, clinical subtype, clinical stage, and comorbid conditions were noted for each patient. SPSS version 21 (IBM SPSS) was used for statistical analysis.

Results: Advanced stages of female pattern hair loss are related to increased age, menopausal state, and hypertension. Acne vulgaris is more prevalent in earlier stages. Hirsutism and acne vulgaris are more commonly encountered in the Ludwig and Hamilton subtypes. Hypertension is more frequent in Ludwig subtype.

Limitations: The confounding effect of age on the relationship between clinical subtype and comorbid diseases.

Conclusion: The relationship between comorbid diseases and stage in specific subtypes can guide us to the diagnosis of undiagnosed comorbid diseases.

Keywords: alopecia; androgenetic; comorbidity; female; stage; subtype.