29 citations
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October 2020 in “eLife” This study using Mendelian randomization in UK Biobank data suggests that lifelong increased free testosterone may have mixed effects, including increased bone density and prostate cancer risk, warranting well-powered trials to address uncertainties.
11 citations
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April 2024 in “Allergy Asthma and Clinical Immunology” This study found compelling genetic evidence linking atopic and allergic conditions with the development of alopecia areata, suggesting a need for closer monitoring in affected individuals.
6 citations
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January 2024 in “International Journal of Dermatology” In this study, the researchers used Mendelian randomization to suggest a potential causal link between various gut microbiota and alopecia areata, finding that certain bacteria like Butyricimonas and Phascolarctobacterium may have protective effects, whereas others like Ruminococcaceae UCG003 might increase risk.
5 citations
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July 2024 in “Frontiers in Microbiology” In this study, researchers using Mendelian randomization found a potential causal relationship between the gut microbiome and alopecia areata, with 16 gut microbial taxa showing links to the condition, though reverse causation results were not statistically significant.
4 citations
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December 2025 in “Frontiers in Immunology” This systematic review of Mendelian randomization studies reports that autoimmune thyroid disease is associated with increased risk for numerous health conditions, including coronary atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, while decreasing risks for others, such as lung cancer.
4 citations
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August 2024 in “Skin Research and Technology” The study was retracted.
4 citations
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July 2024 in “Skin Research and Technology” Certain bacteria may influence alopecia areata risk, but skin bacteria don't mediate gut-skin effects.
4 citations
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January 2023 in “Frontiers in Immunology” In this Mendelian randomization study, shortened leukocyte telomere length was associated with an increased risk of androgenetic alopecia, but no causal relationship was found with alopecia areata.
3 citations
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August 2024 in “Frontiers in Endocrinology” This study offers genetic evidence supporting a causal relationship between thyroid dysfunction and alopecia areata, which may help in managing and treating AA patients.
3 citations
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July 2024 in “Skin Research and Technology” Asthma may increase the risk of alopecia areata.
2 citations
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October 2023 in “Frontiers in Immunology” In this study, researchers used Mendelian randomization to find a significant genetic association between rheumatoid arthritis and an increased risk of alopecia areata, suggesting RA patients should be vigilant for potential AA development.
1 citations
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November 2025 in “Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology” This Mendelian randomization study suggests possible bidirectional causal links between alopecia and sleep characteristics, but findings require cautious interpretation due to multiple testing, highlighting the need for further research to explore underlying mechanisms and broader applicability.
1 citations
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August 2024 in “Skin Research and Technology” This study found no significant causal relationship between androgenetic alopecia and serum uric acid levels using various Mendelian randomization methods, suggesting the need for future research with larger cohorts and advanced methods to further explore this potential association.
July 2026 in “Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology” This study found no causal relationship between obesity and androgenetic alopecia, suggesting that their previously observed link is likely due to confounding factors.
March 2026 in “Archives of Dermatological Research” People with androgenetic alopecia may have a higher genetic risk for cardiovascular diseases.
January 2026 in “Medicine” This study found that elevated LDL-C levels increased the risk of developing androgenic alopecia, whereas HDL-C levels showed no significant effect.
December 2025 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology” This study found that finasteride use is not significantly associated with an increased risk of depression or suicide, based on Mendelian randomization analysis and COX regression analysis in a large UK Biobank cohort.
November 2025 in “Frontiers in Immunology” In this study, researchers found significant links between specific metabolic reprogramming-related genes and alopecia areata risk, highlighting increased SQSTM1 expression in affected hair follicles compared to healthy ones.
October 2025 in “Skin Research and Technology” The article's findings are unreliable and have been retracted.
August 2025 in “Nutrients” This Mendelian randomization study found that specific dietary patterns, such as consuming antioxidant-rich foods like melon and tea, may have protective effects against hair loss, while processed carbohydrates, alcohol, and certain dairy products could increase the risk of androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata.
July 2025 in “Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology” This study found a bidirectional causal association between major depression disorder and alopecia areata, but no association between mental disorders and androgenetic alopecia, suggesting a focus on mental health strategies for alopecia areata management.
June 2025 in “Skin Research and Technology” The study's findings on omega-6 and hair loss are unreliable.
This study identified specific gut bacterial pathways that may serve as potential therapeutic targets for managing androgenetic alopecia in obese individuals.
May 2025 in “Annals of surgical case reports & images.” Certain gut bacteria may protect against hair loss, while others may increase the risk.
This review discusses the complex causal relationships between testosterone exposure and various health outcomes, but notes that the studies reviewed show substantial heterogeneity.
April 2025 in “International Journal of Dermatology and Venereology” This study found a significant causal relationship between androgenetic alopecia and schizophrenia, but no causal association between schizophrenia and androgenetic alopecia.
February 2025 in “Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology” This study used Mendelian randomization analysis to find a significant causal relationship between high fasting insulin levels and androgenetic alopecia, while identifying potential core genes and metabolic pathways that could mediate this link.
February 2025 in “Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology” This study suggests that androgenetic alopecia may increase the risk of developing depression, but depression does not significantly contribute to the onset of androgenetic alopecia.
August 2024 in “Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology” This study investigates the potential causal relationship between hypothyroidism and hair loss conditions like alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia, noting that previous studies have reported inconsistent findings. Results are not yet detailed.
This study identified four genes related to alopecia areata: GIMAP6 and ALOX15 as risk factors, and GALNT6 and HEG1 as protective factors, noting significant validation differences in GALNT6 and HEG1.