Androgenetic alopecia and its association with metabolic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

@#<p style="text-align justify;"><strong>OBJECTIVES:</strong> The study aimed to confirm the association between androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). It also aimed to determine if early-onset AGA among males and AGA among females increases the risk of developing MetS, and if severity of AGA increases the odds of developing MetS.</p><p style="text-align justify;"><strong>METHODS:</strong> Observational studies from electronic databases were selected by the consensus of three independent review authors. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for assessing the quality of non-randomized studies in meta-analysis was used. Statistical analyses were accomplished using Review Manager software.</p><p style="text-align justify;"><strong>RESULTS:</strong> A total of 11 case-control studies, one prospective cohort study, and five cross-sectional studies were selected. In the meta-analysis of ten case-control studies and three cross-sectional studies (3840 participants), AGA was significantly correlated with MetS (OR 2.59, 95% CI 1.51 to 4.44; p<0.0005). Early-onset AGA among males (</p><p style="text-align justify;"><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> Although the pathophysiology still remains under investigation, the present study points to an association between AGA and MetS. It can be used as a marker to identify patients who should be screened for MetS and managed accordingly.</p>