ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The development of androgenetic alopecia is thought to be caused by increased androgen action on the hair follicles in the genetically predisposed person. Although most reports about dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate(DHEA-S) and total testosterone in female androgenetic patients are within normal limits, there are some controversies about comparing the mean values of the patients with those of the normal control group. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the mean value of plasma DHEA-S and total testosterone of the patients with those of normal controls according to their ages, and evaluate relations between hormone levels and clinical type and hyperandrogenic symptoms(HAS). METHOD: We examined 60 female patients with androgenetic alopecia for clinical types, symptoms, family histories, and other systemic diseases. The mean value of the patients were compared with those of 42 normal controls according to ages, clinical types, and HAS. RESULTS: 1. Forty two cases(70.0%) were Ludwig type I, 16 cases(26.7%) were type II, 2 cases(3.3%) were type III. 26 cases(43.3%) were between 20-29 years, 19 cases(31.7%) were between 30-39 years. 2. Common age of onset was between 20-29years(23 cases, 38.3%) and below 19 years old(21 cases, 35.0%). 3. There were 32 cases(53.3%) who showed HAS and seborrhea was the most common symptom (20 cases). 4. There were 33 cases(55.0%) who showed a family history and the father was the most common relative(19 cases). Family history of first degree relative was 31 cases(51.7%). 5. Plasma DHEA-S levels of both patients and control group were all within normal limits, and there were no significant differences in the mean values between the patients ( 1633.03+/-736.31 ng/ml) and normal controls(1764.72+/-690.94 ng/ml). There were also no difference between the patients and controls according to their ages. 6. In total testosterone, 7 out of 60 patients and 3 out of 42 normal controls were beyond the normal limit and there were no significant differences in the mean values between the patients(0.548+/-0.386 ng/ml) and normal controls(0.563+/-0.501 ng/ml). There were also no differences between the patients and controls according to their ages. 7. There was no significant difference in the mean value of DHEA-S and total testosterone among type I, types II & III, and normal controls. 8. There was no significant difference in the mean value of DHEA-S and total testosterone among patients with HAS, without HAS, and normal controls. CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences in the mean values of plasma DHEA-S and total testosterone between the patients and normal controls and no significant differences in the mean values of hormone levels according to clinical type and HAS.