Comparison of Androgenetic Alopecia Prevalence in Paternal and Maternal Male Family Members of Male Androgenetic Alopecia Patients / 대한피부과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common type of hair loss and is believed to be influenced by family history and genetic factors. However, the exact mode of inheritance has not been well characterized. Although there are some reports on the AGA prevalence in the male family members of paternal side, those of maternal side are rare. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the familial influences in AGA. METHODS: We investigated the AGA prevalence in paternal and maternal male family members (grandfathers and uncles) of 421 Korean male adults with AGA (patients group) and 412 without AGA (control group). Hair loss and family history were assessed by an independent investigator according to Hamilton's classification. RESULTS: The AGA prevalence in male family members of the patients group (30.3%) was higher than those of control groups (8.5%) (p<0.05), and AGA prevalence of paternal side was higher than those of maternal side. However, no difference was found between paternal and maternal AGA prevalence, analysed according to the age of onset and severity of AGA. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the AGA expression is influenced by familial AGA prevalence and, particularly, paternal AGA prevalence has more effect on AGA expression than maternal AGA prevalence.