Increased Prevalence of Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Syndrome in Men With Early-Onset Androgenetic Alopecia: A Case-Control Study

This case-control study investigated the relationship between early-onset androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and metabolic disturbances in 200 young adult males, split evenly between those with AGA and matched controls. The study found that insulin resistance (IR) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) were significantly more prevalent in the AGA group, with 18% showing IR compared to 4% in controls, and 21% having MetS compared to 9% in controls. Elevated fasting insulin levels, triglyceride concentrations, and HOMA-IR scores were observed in the AGA group, along with a greater waist circumference. The severity of AGA correlated with increased IR frequency. The study suggests that early-onset AGA may indicate underlying metabolic issues, recommending routine metabolic screening for young men with advanced AGA.