Association between androgenetic alopecia and cardiovascular risk factors according to BASP classification in Korean androgenetic alopecia

Abstract

Background: There have been many studies on the relationships between androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and cardiovascular risk factors; however, the study results areinconsistent, and research on AGA in Asians remains insufficient. Objectives: This study investigated the relationships between Korean AGA and various cardiovascular risk factors, considering lifestyle, type of hair loss, and sex. Methods and Results: This study investigated subjects who visited Wonju Severance Christian Hospital for public or industrial health medical examinations between October 2012 and December 2014. We performed anthropometric measurements and a blood test and administered a questionnaire. Among the 1,884 total subjects, 52.6% had AGA. AGA patients had significantly higher prevalence of hypertension (p<0.0001), diabetes mellitus (p<0.0001), stroke (p=0.0026), dyslipidemia (p=0.0175), cardiovascular disease (p=0.0163), smoking (p<0.0001), and drinking (p<0.0001) than did the non-AGA group. Subgroup analysis showed that M-type (71.8%) and L-type (90.7%) were the most frequent basic types in male and female AGA patients, and F-type and FV-type were most common specific types in both AGA group. Higher prevalence rates of hypertension, diabetes, stroke, cardiovascular disease, and smoking were observed in male AGA patients. Late-onset AGA patients had higher prevalence of hypertension (p<0.0001), diabetes (p=0.0026), and metabolic syndrome (p=0.0499). The more severe was the AGA, the higher was the incidence of hypertension (p=0.0046), diabetes (p=0.0278), and smoking (p=0.004). The prevalence rate of metabolic syndrome increased with increasing AGA severity. According to the analysis results by BASP classification, patients without any specific type AGA showed relatively lower percentage of medical diseases compared to patients of other specific types. Patients with both F-type and V-type AGA displayed a higher prevalence of hypertension (p=0.0289). The risk of hypertension and diabetes were increased for AGA subjects, especially in male, late onset, FV-type and moderate to severe AGA patients. In adjusted model, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, stroke, and metabolic syndrome had higher risks in AGA patients. Conclusion: In this large population-based study, cardiovascular disease-related risk was significantly associated with male sex, moderate to severe AGA, and FV-type AGA. Modifications in lifestyle and early screening for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome are suggested in male patients and in those with moderate to severe AGA involving frontal scalp area.