Health Status, Coping Strategies, and Alexithymia in Subjects with Androgenetic Alopecia

Abstract

The study confirmed the high prevalence of depression/anxiety in AGA subjects, with a significantly higher prevalence in AGA female than male subjects. It is interesting to observe that patients reactions to their AGA related more to the emotional and psychological states deriving from their alopecia than to the objective clinical rating. Avoidant coping strategies were selected more frequently by AGA subjects if they were GHQ-12 positive and had alexithymia. To have alexithymia modified all coping strategies in AGA female subjects but not in AGA male subjects. Physicians should be aware that the impact of AGA is not limited to symptoms, and should help people to deal with their emotional responses to alopecia, such as anger and worry, and their beliefs about the consequences of their condition, and how it will impact on their daily life.

A 6‐month, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study evaluating the ability of a marine complex supplement to promote hair growth in men with thinning hair

“…The primary efficacy parameters from the trichoanalysis were (1) total hair count, (2) total hair density, (3) terminal hair density, (4) and vellus hair density. Terminal hairs were defined as coarse, short, or long hairs found on the scalp with cross-sectional diameter of ≥40 lM.…”

“…Male pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia, is a common condition affecting approximately 50% of the adult male population . While baldness is a relatively benign condition, it can cause feelings of poor self‐image, low self‐esteem, anxiety, and depression, which may have a significant negative impact on the quality of life . Some prescription treatments for androgenic alopecia have the potential to cause significant adverse events .…”

Platelet‐rich plasma for androgenetic alopecia: Does it work? Evidence from meta analysis

“…Androgenetic alopecia also known as male pattern baldness is the most common hair loss disorder affecting up to 80% of men and up to 40% of women with Caucasian heritage. For patients, alopecia causes major discomfort due to altered appearance with significant implications in daily living and possible leading to depression and anxiety symptoms …”

Androgenetic Alopecia: A Chronic or Pubertal Onset Disease Retarded by Blood Donation

“…Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), male pattern baldness, common baldness or androgen-dependent alopecia, is the most common form of hair loss in males and females which is associated with psychological discomfort and depression [1,2].The incidence of AGA is estimated to be 50 percent in both sexes above 50 years of ages [3]. This kind of baldness is described as progressive loss in pigmented terminal hair on the scalp concurrent with predominant onset in puberty upon increase in sexual hormones [4][5][6].…”