Androgenetic alopecia and insulin resistance: are they truly associated?

This study aimed to investigate the association between androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and insulin resistance (IR). The study included 120 participants divided into four groups: AGA patients with metabolic syndrome, AGA patients without metabolic syndrome, patients with metabolic syndrome only, and healthy controls. The results showed that patients with metabolic syndrome, with or without AGA, were significantly more insulin resistant compared to AGA patients without metabolic syndrome and healthy subjects. However, no true association was found between AGA and insulin resistance, but their coexistence as in the case of metabolic syndrome could contribute to worsening of AGA. Further studies are recommended on a large scale of patients before making firm conclusions.