Relationship between working hours and probability to take alopecia medicine among Korean male workers: a 4-year follow-up study

The study investigated the relationship between long working hours and the development of alopecia among 13,391 Korean male workers over a 4-year period. It found that longer working hours were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of developing alopecia, with odds ratios of 1.57 for those working 40-52 hours per week and 1.74 for those working more than 52 hours per week. The association was particularly strong among those in their 30s, unmarried, low-income, and those who smoked or drank alcohol. The study suggested that job-related stress might mediate this relationship and recommended preventive interventions to manage working hours. However, it noted limitations such as potential selection bias and the use of alopecia medication as a proxy for hair loss.