Androgenetic Alopecia and Its Association with Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The study confirmed a significant association between androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) through a meta-analysis of 11 case-control studies, one prospective cohort study, and five cross-sectional studies, involving 3840 participants. The analysis showed that AGA was significantly correlated with MetS (OR 2.59, 95% CI 1.51 to 4.44; p<0.0005). Early-onset AGA in males (<35 years old) had a higher association (OR 3.69, 95% CI 2.15 to 6.33; p<0.00001), and AGA in females also increased the odds of developing MetS (OR 5.59, 95% CI 2.06 to 15.12; p<0.0007). Severity of AGA in males (Norwood-Hamilton IV or higher) and females (Ludwig II and III) was also significant. The study suggested that AGA could be used as a marker to identify patients who should be screened for MetS.