A Clinical Study of Androgenetic Alopecia(IV)

Chong, You Son; Tak, Woo Jung; Ro, Byung In

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.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to find the family history, clinical and endocrine status of the patients with androgenetic alopecia. METHOD: 736 patients with androgenetic alopecia who had visited the Department of Dermatology, Yongsan and Pil-dong Hospital, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University during the last 2 years(1999.1-2000.12) were examined.
RESULTS
1) Incidence of androgenetic alopecia among the total number of alopecia patients was 75.8%. 2) There were 571 male and 165 female patients being most prevalent in the 3rd decade in male patients and in the 4th decade in female patients. 3) In male androgenetic alopecia, Norwood-Hamilton's type II was the most common and following IIIv, II, IV, IIIa, and in female patients, Ludwig's type I was most common. 4) There was a family history of baldness in 59.5% of first degree relatives in male patients and 30.9% in female patients. 5) The most common associated disorder is seborrheic dermatitis. 6) Serum testosterone levels were increased in 78 males(13.7%) and 23 females(13.9%).
CONCLUSION
Based on these results, the number of young patients who visit dermatologists tends to be increasing and genetic factor, ages and abnormal androgen metabolism in scalp are affecting the development of androgenetic alopecia.