title: Association of premature androgenetic alopecia and metabolic syndrome in a young Indian population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although evidences for association of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) with metabolic syndrome (MetS) are accruing, inconclusiveness with respect to the gender specificity and differential association of MetS with increasing severity of AGA continues to persist. Furthermore, data specific to Indian settings are relatively sparse.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study aimed at assessing the frequency of MetS in individuals with early AGA in Indian settings.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case-control study was conducted at a trichology clinic in Bengaluru between April 2012 and September 2012 with a total of 85 cases of AGA and 85 age-matched controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Norwood-Hamilton classification was used to assess the grade of AGA. MetS was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Blood pressure, blood glucose, lipid parameters, and body mass index along with anthropometric measurements were assessed in all study participants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Chi-square test was used to compare proportions between groups. Means were compared between groups using Student's t-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MetS was seen in a higher proportion of patients with AGA (43.5%) as compared to the control group (2.4%) and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.001). As compared to controls, patients with AGA had higher triglycerides (P < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (P < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.001) along with significantly lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (P < 0.001). Severity of AGA was not associated with MetS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AGA is associated with MetS in male Indian patients aged <30 years. Studies with large sample sizes may be required to conclusively define any putative associations between AGA grades and MetS.
authors.affiliation: Hairline International Hair Clinic, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chakrabarty
authors.affiliation: Department of Observational, Research Clinibyte Health Sciences Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hariharan
authors.affiliation: Hairline International Hair Clinic, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Dg
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gowda
authors.affiliation: Hairline International Hair Clinic, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Hemalini
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Suresh
keywords: Androgenetic alopecia; case-control study; metabolic syndrome