[Association between androgenetic alopecia and hyperlipidemia: a comparative study]

Androgenetic alopecia [AGA] is the most common type of progressive balding that appears with early loss of hair, chiefly from the vertex. There has been significant relationship between AGA with coronary artery disease and related risk factors, such as hypertension in some studies. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between androgenetic alopecia with hyperlipidemia. This cross-sectional study was performed on 112 patients with vertex type AGA [in male grade 3 or higher Hamilton-Norwood scale, and in female grade 2 or higher Ludwig scale] [study group] and 115 persons age and sex matched, with normal hair status [Normal group]. None of participants had diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, liver disease, kidney disease and none of them had history of smoking and using drugs with effect on serum lipids. They were 20-35 years old and their body mass index were 20-30. Blood samples were obtained following 12 hours fasting status and serum levels of triglyceride [TG], cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein [HDL] and low-density lipo-protein [LDL] were determined using standard laboratory methods. Total cholesterol greater than 240 or TG greater than 200 or LDL greater than 160 or HDL less than 40 in men or HDL less than 50 in women were considered hyperlipidemia. In androgenetic alopecia group 46.4% and 47% of normal group were female. Mean [ +/- SE] of total cholesterol [172.4 +/- 3.1, 148.8 +/- 3.1, P < 0.001], TG [133.6 +/- 5.5, 88.3 +/- 4.3, P < 0.001], LDL [96.4 +/- 2.9, 84.9 +/- 2.7, P = 0.004] and HDL [54.9 +/- 2.0, 45.5 +/- 0.9, P < 0.001] in AGA patients were higher than normal group. 46.4% of patients and 52.2% of controls had hyperlipidemia. Relationship between AGA with hyperlipidemia was not significant [P > 0.05]. The findings showed that there is no relationship between AGA and hyperlipidemia. Regarding to high levels of total cholesterol, LDL and triglyceride in AGA patients, it seems that, AGA increases risk of coronary heart disease. To determine a definite association between AGA and hyperlipidemia more studies are recommended

[Association between skin tag and diabetes mellitus]

Skin tags are small, benign, soft and pedunculated skin tumors. A possible association with impaired carbohydrate metabolism has been suggested in previous studies, but the results are not conclusive. This study was performed in order to determine association between skin tag and diabetes mellitus. This study was carried out on 80 patients with skin tags as a case group and 80 patients without skin tags as a control group that they were referred to Semnan dermatological clinics. Then fasting blood sugar [FBS] were checked out in both two groups. In addition, height and weight were measured in all patients and body mass index [BMI] calculated for each of the patient. 43.8% and 55% of patients were respectively female in the case group and the control group. Age mean [ +/- SD] was 44.3 +/- 16.6 and 37.3 +/- 18.9 years in the case and control group, respectively. BMI mean [ +/- SD] index was 28.0 +/- 4.3kg/m2 in the patients with skin tag, whereas, it was 25.5 +/- 5.1 kg/m[2] in the patients without skin tag [P=0.001]. Patients with skin tag had higher frequency of diabetes than patients in the control group [27.5% vs. 5%] and also the case group showed a higher frequency of pre diabetes than the control group [20% vs. 15%]. The probability of presence of diabetes mellitus in the patients with skin tag was 6.82 times more than the patients in the control group [Odds ratio=6.82, 95% Confidence interval: 2.06-22.56, P=0.002]. Our data suggest that there is an association between skin tag and diabetes mellitus. Therefore, screening of patients with skin tag is recommended for early diagnosis diabetes mellitus

[Relationship between alopecia areata and serum ferritin, TIBC and serum iron levels]

Alopecia areata is a common disease that affects the life quality of patients. Iron deficiency has been suggested to play a role, but its effect is controversial. We decided to evaluate the relationship between alopecia areata and serum ferritin, TIBC and serum iron levels. In this study, 30 patients who were diagnosed with alopecia areata by a dermatologist and 30 healthy individual as the control group were evaluated. All the cases [patients and control group] were referred to Semnan Central Lab for the following laboratory tests: CBC test [WBC, HGB, PLT, MCV, MCH, MCHC], serum ferritin, serum iron and serum TIBC. Mean serum ferritin [P<0.001], serum iron [P<0.001], transferin saturation [P<0.001] and mean hemoglobin [P=0.002] were significantly lower in patient group comparing to the control group. Mean TIBC [P<0.001] was significantly higher in patient group in compared with the control group [P<0.001]. Our findings indicate that there is a relationship between alopecia areata and low serum ferritin, low serum iron and increased TIBC. Therefore evaluation of serum iron status and treatment, if needed, with iron supplements is recommended in alopecia areata patients