A Clinical Study of Androgenetic Alopecia (III)

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Androgenetic alopecia is considered to be a genetically determined disorder influenced by age and androgen. The proportion of patients with androgenetic alopecia among the total number of patients with alopecia seems to be gradually increasing. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the family history,clinical and endocrine status of the patients with androgenetic alopecia. METHODS: 1113 patients with androgenetic alopecia who had visited the Department of Dermatology, Yongsan Hospital, College of Medicine,Chung-Ang University during the 3 years (1995.1-1998. 12) have been examined. RESULTS: The results are summarized as follows 1) The incidence of androgenetic alopecia among the total number of alopecia patients was 64.5%, showing recent increment. 2) There were 855 male and 258 female patients being most prevalent in the third decade in both sexes and the patients younger than 30 years old with premature androgenetic alopecia,made up 70.3% of the male patients and 48.8% of the female patients with androgenetic alopecia. 3) While Norwood's type Iia was the most common and following type II, III vertex,and IV in the male AGA, Ludwig's type II was the most common in female AGA 4) There was a family history of baldness in 53.5% of first degree relatives in male patients and 51.6%in female patients. 5)Associated diseases were observed in 565(66.8%) of the male patients and 219 (84.8%) of the female patientsdiseases associated with androgen such as seborrheic dermatitis and acne vulgaris occupied 39.1%. CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, those who want to treat androgenetic alopecia at the earlier ages are gradually increasing and it seems to be reasonable to believe that the age, genetic factors, localized effects of androgens on the scalp and the density and/or functional activity of androgen receptors may influence the pathogenesis of androgenetic alopecia.