Hyperuricemia is associated with androgenetic alopecia in men: A cross-sectional case-control study.

BACKGROUND

Early androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is patterned hair loss occurring before 30 years. Early AGA is frequently reported in men and carries the risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases. Hyperuricemia used to be a minor component of metabolic syndrome. Recently, increasing number of studies has proved that hyperuricemia is an independent risk factor for many cardiovascular diseases and psoriasis. However, none of these studies have examined the relationship between hyperuricemia and AGA.

AIMS

To determine the association between hyperuricemia and AGA in men.

METHODS

A cross-sectional case-control study was conducted. The medical charts and photographs of men with a clinical diagnosis of AGA were reviewed. The clinical and laboratory data of AGA and control groups were compared.

RESULTS

Men with AGA (n = 1312) had higher mean uric acid level (6.25 mg/dL vs 5.97 mg/dL; P < .001) and higher prevalence of hyperuricemia (25.0% vs 15.6%; P < .001) than those without AGA (n = 2624). There was no statistically significant association between AGA severity and hyperuricemia (P = .295).

CONCLUSIONS

Men with early AGA have a higher prevalence of hyperuricemia.