Early androgenetic alopecia as a possible indicator of diabetes mellitus and its link to cardiovascular risks: a cross-sectional study

A cross-sectional study conducted in Shenzhen, Southern China, involving 11,968 participants, found that the prevalence of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) was 18.94%, with a higher occurrence in males (32.42%) compared to females (7.12%). The study revealed that AGA patients had higher rates of obesity, abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus (DM), and hypertension. Notably, a significant association between early-onset AGA and DM was observed in individuals aged 18-49 years, but not in those over 50. In adults under 45, AGA was linked to increased risks of DM and impaired fasting glucose. The study suggests that early-onset AGA may serve as an indicator of DM risk in young and middle-aged adults, emphasizing the importance of early identification and preventive strategies. However, the cross-sectional design limits causal inference.