Obesity and low-grade inflammation among young Finnish men with early-onset alopecia.
BACKGROUND
Previous investigations have revealed an association of androgenetic alopecia (AGA), especially in younger subjects with severe early-onset AGA, with ischemic heart disease.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the possible association between early-onset alopecia and low-grade inflammation measured by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) that has been recommended for the assessment of the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.


METHODS
The study population consisted of young men (n = 727, aged 25-34 years) participating in a national survey. The grade of alopecia was assessed by a trained nurse using the Norwood/Hamilton Classification Scale.


RESULTS
Men with moderate to extensive alopecia (17%) had a higher body mass index and larger waist, upper arm, hip and waist circumference than those with little to no alopecia (p < 0.05), and statistically insignificant differences were seen in the waist-to-hip circumference ratio (WHR), diastolic blood pressure and hs-CRP. With increasing hs-CRP, the mean WHR increased, but only among men with moderate to extensive alopecia (p = 0.043).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings show a relation between moderate to extensive alopecia and low-grade inflammation--a predictor of a future CVD--especially combined with central obesity, among men younger than 35 years.
Hirsso
Päivi
P
University of Oulu, Department of Public Health Science and General Practice, Oulu, Finland. paivi.hirsso@oulu.fi
Rajala
Ulla
U
Hiltunen
Liisa
L
Jokelainen
Jari
J
Keinänen-Kiukaanniemi
Sirkka
S
Näyhä
Simo
S
D000328:Adult; D000505:Alopecia / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio
D002097:C-Reactive Protein