title: Central hair loss in African American women: incidence and potential risk factors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although central scalp hair loss is a common problem in African American women, data on etiology or incidence are limited.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to determine the frequency of various patterns and degree of central scalp hair loss in African American women and to correlate this with information on hair care practices, family history of hair loss, and medical history.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five hundred twenty-nine subjects at six different workshops held at four different sites in the central and/or southeast United States participated in this study. The subjects' patterns and degree of central scalp hair loss were independently assessed by both subject and investigator using a standardized photographic scale. Subjects also completed a detailed questionnaire and had standardized photographs taken. Statistical analysis was performed evaluating answers to the questionnaire relative to pattern of central hair loss.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Extensive central scalp hair loss was seen in 5.6% of subjects. There was no obvious association of extensive hair loss with relaxer or hot comb use, history of seborrheic dermatitis or reaction to a hair care product, bacterial infection, or male pattern hair loss in fathers of subjects; however, there was an association with a history of tinea capitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was no scalp biopsy correlation with clinical pattern of hair loss and further information on specifics of hair care practices is needed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This central scalp photographic scale and questionnaire provide a valid template by which to further explore potential etiologic factors and relationships to central scalp hair loss in African American women.
authors.affiliation: Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA. olsen001@mc.duke.edu
authors.forename: Elise A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Callender
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McMichael
authors.forename: Leonard
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sperling
authors.forename: Kevin J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Anstrom
authors.forename: Jerry
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shapiro
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Faith
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Durden
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Whiting
authors.forename: Wilma
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bergfeld
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000505:Alopecia / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D005220:Fathers; D005260:Female; D006203:Hair Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D017588:Hyperandrogenism / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers; D010781:Photography / Q000592:standards; D015144:Southeastern United States
chemical_list: D006203:Hair Preparations