title: Association of insulin resistance linked diseases and hair loss in elderly men. Finnish population-based study.
abstract: Previous investigations have shown an association of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) with insulin resistance related disorders such as ischemic heart disease. An association between AGA and anthropometric abnormalities linked with insulin resistance and heredity in women aged 63 years has also been shown. We therefore compared 63-year-old men with AGA and ones with normal hair status for insulin resistance linked parameters. A population of 245 men aged 63 years, who were participants in a population-based cross-sectional study in the City of Oulu, underwent a medical check-up including assessment of hair status on the Hamilton-Norwood scale and determination of anthropometric measures, blood pressure, fasting glucose and serum lipids. Fifty eight per cent of the men reported extensive hair loss (grade III-VII). Hypertension and the use of antihypertensive drugs were common among men with AGA (61% vs. 45% and 50% vs. 26%, respectively). The rates of diabetes and hyperinsulinemia (21% vs. 12% and 61% vs. 49%) were higher among men with AGA compared to those with normal hair status but no difference was seen in other factors. Our findings show that AGA is common among Finnish men aged 63 years but that it is also associated with insulin linked disturbances, such as hypertension and diabetes. Such men developing AGA might benefit from attention in medical check-up.
authors.affiliation: University of Oulu, Department of Public Health Science and General Practice, Finland. paivi.hirsso@oulu.fi
authors.forename: Päivi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hirsso
authors.forename: Mauri
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laakso
authors.forename: Veikko
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Matilainen
authors.forename: Liisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hiltunen
authors.forename: Ulla
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Rajala
authors.forename: Jari
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jokelainen
authors.forename: Sirkka
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Keinänen-Kiukaanniemi
mesh_terms: D000505:Alopecia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged