Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Low Transferrin Saturation Levels, and Male-Pattern Baldness

August 2018 in “ International Journal of Dermatology ”

Inkyung Baik, Seung Ku Lee, Robert J. Thomas, Chol Shin

obstructive sleep apnea transferrin saturation male-pattern baldness iron deficiency hair follicles family history of hair loss OSA TSA MPB

TLDR Men with sleep apnea and low iron levels are more likely to have male-pattern baldness, especially if they have a family history of hair loss.

The study, involving 932 Korean men aged 46-76, explored the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), iron status indicated by transferrin saturation (TSA) levels, and male-pattern baldness (MPB). It concluded that OSA and low TSA levels were significantly associated with MPB, especially in men with a family history of hair loss. Men with both OSA and a family history had a sevenfold increase in the odds of having MPB, while those with a family history alone had a fourfold increase. Low TSA levels were linked to a threefold higher odds of MPB, suggesting that iron deficiency and reduced oxygenation to hair follicles might play a role in this association. The study's limitations include its cross-sectional nature and the specific demographic, which may affect generalizability. Further research is needed to establish causality and explore the biological mechanisms behind these associations.

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