Female androgenetic alopecia: a risk factor for cardiovascular disease

Background Several studies have associated male androgenetic alopecia (AGA) with the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, only few studies have shown this association in women with AGA. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate whether female AGA could be a risk factor for the development of CVD through assessment of the lipid profile and measurement of the common carotid artery intima–media thickness (IMT), which are two documented measures of subclinical atherosclerosis. Patients and methods The study included 50 female patients with AGA, as well as 50 age-matched women without AGA serving as a control group. Evaluation of serum lipid levels and measurements of common carotid artery IMT for all included patients were carried out. Results Women with AGA had statistically significantly higher levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and higher TC: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC:HDL-C) and LDL-C:HDL-C ratios compared with controls. Moreover, HDL-C was significantly lower in patients compared with controls. As regards the common carotid arteries, the patients had significantly higher mean values of IMT compared with controls, and this increased IMT was positively correlated with the duration and stage of AGA. Conclusion The presence of dyslipidemia and subclinical atherosclerosis in women with AGA may signal a true association between female AGA and CVD. This could change our future plan of management for patients who need to be screened and evaluated regularly in order to afford them the benefit of early preventive measures.