Prevalence of androgenic alopecia in women of 20-70 years in Isfahan during 2008-2009

Abstract

Background Androgenetic alopecia is the most common form of hair loss that is progressive, diffuse and symmetric affecting both sexes. Several studies about the prevalence and pathophysiology of androgenetic alopecia in women have been done that show the importance of this problem. Objective To study the prevalence of androgenetic alopecia in women in our society, the first step for this research in this field. Patients and methods This was a descriptive study done in the busy barbershop in Isfahan during 2008-2009. All women in the age range from 20 to 70 years who visited these units were enrolled. Simple and non random sampling method was used and total 1800 women were checked for androgenic hair loss. In patients with alopecia, ferritin levels were also checked. Results Of 1800 women studied, 39.6% had androgenetic alopecia and 60.4% were without it. Average age of women with hair loss was 50.4 years and the average age of women without it was 31.9 years (p<0.001). In 36% of patients with androgenetic alopecia ferritin levels were less than 40 µg/L, not significantly different from normal levels in the society, but the severity of androgenetic alopecia more in people who had levels of ferritin under 40 µg/L. Conclusion In this study, prevalence of androgenetic alopecia was higher than previous studies conducted in other countries that can be due to inherited or racial factors. Serum ferritin levels should also be checked and treated in women with androgenetic alopecia.