Background and objectives: The relationship between androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and cardiovascular diseases has been studied by some authors in the past, although the results of epidemiological studies have been variable. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypertension and aldosterone level in male patients with AGA.
Patients and methods: Sixty men were enrolled in this case-control study, 30 with a diagnosis of AGA and 30 control participants who consulted for other skin conditions. They were recruited from the outpatient clinic of the Dermatology and Andrology of Benha University Hospital. Data were collected included, age, AGA score with Ebling score (I-V), serum aldosterone and serum testosterone level, blood pressure or history of hypertension, smoking, family history of AGA, and treatment.
Results: Patients with AGA showed significantly higher aldosterone levels and blood pressure values (P < 0.05) versus controls. However, there was no statistically significant difference between patients and controls in the serum testosterone level. Conclusion: Blood pressure screening of patients with AGA will enable earlier diagnosis of an unknown hypertension and initiation of appropriate treatment. Moreover, determination of aldosterone levels can enable early detection of individuals at risk and initiation of preventive treatment before cardiovascular disease becomes established.