A study of association of premature graying of hair and osteopenia in North Indian population

Abstract

Context: Hair graying is one of the signs of human aging and is caused by a progressive loss of pigmentation from growing hair shafts. Studies have shown a correlation of early hair graying with osteopenia, indicating that premature graying could serve as an early marker of osteopenia. Aim: To compare the degree of osteopenia in individuals with premature graying of hair (PGH) compared to ordinary individuals. Settings and Design: We conducted an observational, case–control study among 132 healthy individuals between 18 and 30 years of age. Subjects and Methods: Detailed history and examination of PGH was taken. Bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed using Furuno CM-200 ultrasound bone densitometer. Statistical Analysis: SPSS 21 software was used, and the data were summarized in the form of mean ± standard deviation for quantitative values and percentages for qualitative values. Chi–square test, Student's t -test, analysis of variance, and other appropriate tests were applied for comparison, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: PGH was present in 82 (62.1%) cases, whereas osteopenia was present in 56 (42.4%) cases. The mean age of onset of graying of hair among the cases was 20.62 ± 3.74 years. A higher age group of 25–30 years ( P = 0.016) and family history of PGH ( P < 0.001) were significant risk factors for PGH. The mean BMD of the case group was 0.76 ± 1.00 and the control group was 0.68 ± 1.11, but the difference was not statistically significant ( P = 0.649). Conclusion: The study concluded that there is no significant association between osteopenia and PGH.

Premature graying of hair: A concise review

“…However, Morton et al in the Rancho Bernardo study, and subsequently Agarwal et al, found no significant association between PHG and bone mineral density. [18][19][20]…”

A study of association of premature graying of hair and osteopenia in North Indian Population

“…I refer to the interesting case–control study published by Agarwal et al . [ 1 ] in March–April 2020 issue of the International Journal of Trichology . On using ultrasound bone densitometer to estimate bone mineral density (BMD), the authors compared the grade of osteopenia in individuals with premature graying of hair (PGH) and those without PGH.…”

“…They found that the mean BMD in the case group was 0.76 ± 1.00 compared to 0.68 ± 1.11 in the control group with no statistically significant difference ( P = 0.649). [ 1 ] They concluded that was no significant correlation between PGH and steopenia. [ 1 ] I presume that due to the following methodological limitation, the study results ought to be cautiously interpreted.…”

“…[ 1 ] They concluded that was no significant correlation between PGH and steopenia. [ 1 ] I presume that due to the following methodological limitation, the study results ought to be cautiously interpreted. In the study methodology, the authors stated that BMD was assessed based on the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria in which T-score of BMD between 1.0 and 2.5 was regarded as osteopenia.…”

“…In the study methodology, the authors stated that BMD was assessed based on the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria in which T-score of BMD between 1.0 and 2.5 was regarded as osteopenia. [ 1 ] The impact of that limitation could be addressed in dual aspects.…”