Association between male pattern baldness and prostate disease: A meta-analysis
February 2018
in “Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations”
TLDR Men with male pattern baldness have a higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia.
The meta-analysis by Tao Jin and colleagues, which included 17 studies with a total of 68,448 participants, found a significant association between male pattern baldness (MPB) and an increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer (PC) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The study reported an odds ratio (OR) of 1.59 for aggressive PC and an OR of 1.26 for BPH in individuals with MPB. Vertex baldness specifically was significantly associated with PC, but no significant association was found between vertex, frontal plus vertex hair loss pattern, and BPH. The findings suggest a shared pathologic mechanism between MPB and prostate disease, potentially related to aging and androgen influence. However, the authors noted inconsistencies across studies and the need for further research to understand the underlying mechanisms.
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