Correlation Between Serum Vitamin D Levels and the Severity of Androgenetic Alopecia

19 Aug, 21

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Introduction

Vitamin D deficiency has been hypothesized to play a role in various hair disorders like male and female pattern hair loss and alopecia areata.

Aim

To evaluate the levels of vitamin D in patients with androgenetic alopecia (AGA), and also to determine its possible role in the etiopathogenesis of male androgenetic alopecia.

Patient Profile

Males aged less than or equal to 30 years with a clinical diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia

Methods

Hospital-based case–control study
Clinical diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia

A venous blood sample was taken from all the cases and controls, and their serum vitamin D levels were measured by the radioimmunoassay technique
The values were interpreted as follows

<30 nmol/L: deficient
31–50 nmol/L: insufficient
>50 nmol/L: sufficient
>150 ng/mL: intoxication

Results

The maximum number of cases had grade V androgenetic alopecia (35%), followed by grade IV (33%), grade III (25%), and grade VI (7%)

The mean levels of serum vitamin D were significantly decreased in cases compared to controls (20.10 vs. 29.34 ng/ mL; P ≤ 0.001)
Eighty six percent of the cases had deficiency of vitamin D (<30 nmol/L), while 14% had insufficient vitamin D levels (31-50 nmol/L)
A statistically significant a positive correlation between vitamin D deficiency and severity of AGA was observed

Table 1: Serum vitamin D levels and average daily sun exposure (hours) between the cases and controls

	Cases (n = 50)	Control (n = 50)	P value
BMI	23.9 + 3.6	22.4 + 2.4	0.06
Serum vitamin D levels	20.10 + 4.8	29.34 + 5.6	<0.001
Average sun exposure(hours)	2.36 + 1.2	3.23 + 1.6	0.98

Figure 1: Mean levels of serum vitamin D in cases

No correlation seen with duration of sun exposure serum vitamin D levels (P value = 0.98).
- 2.36 + 1.2 in cases
- 3.23 + 1.6 in controls

Conclusion

The study demonstrated a significant correlation between vitamin D deficiency and the severity of androgenetic alopecia
The findings indicate that vitamin D may play a role in the premature onset of androgenetic alopecia
Hence, vitamin D levels should be assessed in AGA patients

Reference

Int J Dermatol 2020;59;9:1113-1116.