OBJECTIVE: Although androgenic alopecia is recognised to be a symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), it is not known whether polycystic ovaries (PCO) and associated endocrine abnormalities are present in patients who present with alopecia as a primary complaint. We therefore set out to determine the strength of the association between androgenic alopecia and PCO. We examined the prevalence of ultrasound-based polycystic ovarian morphology and associated clinical and biochemical features in a large multiethnic group of women whose presenting complaint was of alopecia, and in a control group. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We studied 89 women of mixed ethnic origin with androgenic alopecia and compared them to 73 control women. A detailed history was taken, anthropometry was performed and assessment of body-hair distribution was made. The presence of PCO was established by pelvic ultrasound scan. Serum gonadotrophins, testosterone, androstenedione, dihydrotestosterone and sex hormone binding globulin concentrations were measured. RESULTS: Women with alopecia had a higher prevalence of PCO and hirsutism than the control population (PCO: 67% vs 27%, P<0.00001; hirsutism: 21% vs 4%, P=0.003). Women with alopecia (with or without PCO) had higher testosterone, androstenedione and free androgen index than controls, even though few had frankly abnormal androgens. CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirm an association between androgenic alopecia and PCO, and other symptoms of hyperandrogenaemia. Thus most women who present with androgenic alopecia as their primary complaint also have PCO and have indices of abnormal androgen production. Since PCO is a well known risk factor for development of type 2 diabetes, this association has important implications for long-term management.
OBJECTIVE: Although androgenic alopecia is recognised to be a symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), it is not known whether polycystic ovaries (PCO) and associated endocrine abnormalities are present in patients who present with alopecia as a primary complaint. We therefore set out to determine the strength of the association between androgenic alopecia and PCO. We examined the prevalence of ultrasound-based polycystic ovarian morphology and associated clinical and biochemical features in a large multiethnic group of women whose presenting complaint was of alopecia, and in a control group. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We studied 89 women of mixed ethnic origin with androgenic alopecia and compared them to 73 control women. A detailed history was taken, anthropometry was performed and assessment of body-hair distribution was made. The presence of PCO was established by pelvic ultrasound scan. Serum gonadotrophins, testosterone, androstenedione, dihydrotestosterone and sex hormone binding globulin concentrations were measured. RESULTS:Women with alopecia had a higher prevalence of PCO and hirsutism than the control population (PCO: 67% vs 27%, P<0.00001; hirsutism: 21% vs 4%, P=0.003). Women with alopecia (with or without PCO) had higher testosterone, androstenedione and free androgen index than controls, even though few had frankly abnormal androgens. CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirm an association between androgenic alopecia and PCO, and other symptoms of hyperandrogenaemia. Thus most women who present with androgenic alopecia as their primary complaint also have PCO and have indices of abnormal androgen production. Since PCO is a well known risk factor for development of type 2 diabetes, this association has important implications for long-term management.
Authors: Ronald S Swerdloff; Robert E Dudley; Stephanie T Page; Christina Wang; Wael A Salameh Journal: Endocr Rev Date: 2017-06-01 Impact factor: 19.871
Authors: Felix Day; Tugce Karaderi; Michelle R Jones; Cindy Meun; Chunyan He; Alex Drong; Peter Kraft; Nan Lin; Hongyan Huang; Linda Broer; Reedik Magi; Richa Saxena; Triin Laisk; Margrit Urbanek; M Geoffrey Hayes; Gudmar Thorleifsson; Juan Fernandez-Tajes; Anubha Mahajan; Benjamin H Mullin; Bronwyn G A Stuckey; Timothy D Spector; Scott G Wilson; Mark O Goodarzi; Lea Davis; Barbara Obermayer-Pietsch; André G Uitterlinden; Verneri Anttila; Benjamin M Neale; Marjo-Riitta Jarvelin; Bart Fauser; Irina Kowalska; Jenny A Visser; Marianne Andersen; Ken Ong; Elisabet Stener-Victorin; David Ehrmann; Richard S Legro; Andres Salumets; Mark I McCarthy; Laure Morin-Papunen; Unnur Thorsteinsdottir; Kari Stefansson; Unnur Styrkarsdottir; John R B Perry; Andrea Dunaif; Joop Laven; Steve Franks; Cecilia M Lindgren; Corrine K Welt Journal: PLoS Genet Date: 2018-12-19 Impact factor: 6.020
Authors: Marla E Lujan; Donna R Chizen; Andrew K Peppin; Stefan Kriegler; David A Leswick; Terri G Bloski; Roger A Pierson Journal: Reprod Biol Endocrinol Date: 2008-07-18 Impact factor: 5.211
Authors: Joselyn Rojas; Mervin Chávez; Luis Olivar; Milagros Rojas; Jessenia Morillo; José Mejías; María Calvo; Valmore Bermúdez Journal: Int J Reprod Med Date: 2014-01-28