Inflammatory markers and Lp(a) levels as cardiovascular risk factors in androgenetic alopecia

It is not well-established whether patients with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) show a higher cardiovascular risk and higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS). Therefore, we aimed to analyze the cardiovascular risk and the prevalence of MS by means of a case-control study. We determined lipidic, inflammatory, hormonal and insulin resistance parameters with conventional laboratory methods in 50 male early-onset AGA patients and 50 controls. AGA patients did not show statistical differences for insulin resistance (glucose, insulin, C peptide, HOMA), lipids (total-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, tryglicerides) or hormonal parameters (testosterone, free androgen index, sex hormone-binding globulin) P > 0.05, respectively. No differences between groups were observed in prevalence of MS or its components (P > 0.05). AGA patients showed higher levels of fibrinogen, C-reactive protein (CRP) and lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) (P = 0.016, P = 0.019 and P = 0.032, respectively). In the unadjusted logistic regression analyses, PCR >4 mg/L, fibrinogen > 395 mg/dL and Lp(a) >59 mg/dL increased the risk of AGA, but in the adjusted logistic regression analyses, only PCR >4 mg/L and Lp(a) >59 mg/dL independently increased this risk (OR = 5.83, 95% CI 1.33-25.59 P = 0.020; OR = 3.94 CI 95% 1.08-14.43 P = 0.038). The present study indicates that AGA patients do not show differences in either insulin resistance or prevalence of MS. However, AGA patients show a higher cardiovascular risk characterised by an increase in inflammatory parameters and Lp(a) levels.