Comparative Evaluation of Hair Density Between Androgenic Alopecia and Normal Scalp in Pakistani Population

Abstract

Objective: To compare mean hair density in healthy adult versus androgenic alopecia patient’s scalp in male Pakistani population

Study design: Case- control study

Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted in Combined Military Hospital, Jhelum, at the department of dermatology

from July 2020 to Jan 2021.

Methodology: A sample size of 80 participants was calculated using WHO calculator. Participants were divided into two groups i.e. cases of androgenic alopecia and controls, individuals without hair loss. Cases were defined as patients diagnosed with androgenic alopecia. We measured hair density by manual hair counting method. Data analysis was done with the help of SPSS version 24. T-test was applied for comparisons and a p value of ≤0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Total 80 males were included in study (40 males in each group).  Mean age of participants in group A (controls) was 36.8 ± 5.74 and 36.9 ± 5.31 in group B (AGA). Hair density of one hair follicular unit in normal person at frontal and parietal region was 73.1+5.05 and 63.85 + 3.40 respectively while in AGA group at frontal region it was 34.8+1.8 and at parietal region it was 45.1 + 2.20. Overall hair density was 160.25+16.36 in normal population and 98.75 +8.74 in AGA group (p=0.02).

Conclusion: Average density of hair and hair loss patterns are variable for different ethnic populations. Hair densities in Pakistani population vary at different scalp site, however, occipital site showed the highest hair density. Hair density decreases with increasing age in ..