Serum Ferritin Levels amongst Individuals with Androgenetic Alopecia in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common form of alopecia, affecting 50% of the adult population world-wide. The exact mechanisms of this common hair disorder are yet to be fully elucidated. It is believed to be related to high circulating androgen levels in the blood and it is genetically determined. Deficiencies of micronutrients such as iron in the development of AGA have been a subject of debate. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to determine the association between serum ferritin levels and androgenetic alopecia among patients attending the Dermatology clinic at a tertiary health facility in South-Western Nigeria. METHODS: This was a hospital based cross sectional study with a total of 114 participants, which consisted of 57 subjects with AGA and 57 age and sex-matched healthy adults without AGAwho met the inclusion criteria. The diagnosis of AGA was made clinically and with the aid of a Dermatoscope (Wi-Fi Digital Microscope RoHS YPC_X03 V2018, HD Colour CMOS sensor with 50X-1000X magnification and HD resolution 1920x1080P). RESULTS: The mean age of the study participants was 41.68 ± 12.86 years with age ranging from 24 to 80 years. The mean serum ferritin levels among the subjects and control group were 188.65 ±97.92ng/ml and 194.49 ± 76.67ng/ml respectively but this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.724). However, subjects with premature AGA had a significantly lower serum ferritin level compared to those with adult-onset AGA (p = 0.020). CONCLUSION: Iron deficiency is known to cause quantitative defect in haemoglobin production, limiting the amount of oxygen transported for hair growth and this, in addition to genetic factors, may explain why individuals with premature AGA have a significantly low serum ferritin levels.

CONTEXTE: L'alopécie androgénétique (AGA) est la forme la plus courante d'alopécie, affectant 50% de la population adulte dans le monde. Les mécanismes exacts de ce trouble capillaire commun n'ont pas encore été entièrement élucidés. On pense qu'il est lié à des taux élevés d'androgènes circulants dans le sang et qu'il est génétiquement déterminé. Les carences en micronutriments tels que le fer dans le développement de l'AGA ont fait l'objet de débats. OBJECTIF: Cette étude a cherché à déterminer l'association entre les niveaux de ferritine sérique et l'alopécie androgénétique chez les patients fréquentant la clinique de dermatologie d'un établissement de santé tertiaire du sud-ouest du Nigeria. MÉTHODES: Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale en milieu hospitalier avec un total de 114 participants, dont 57 sujets atteints d'AGA et 57 adultes en bonne santé, appariés selon l'âge et le sexe, sans AGA, qui répondaient aux critères d'inclusion. Le diagnostic de l'AGA a été établi cliniquement et à l'aide d'un dermatoscope (microscope numérique Wi-Fi RoHS YPC_X03 V2018, capteur CMOS couleur HD avec un grossissement de 50X-1000X et une résolution HD 1920x1080P). RÉSULTATS: L'âge moyen des participants à l'étude était de 41,68 ± 12,86 ans avec un âge allant de 24 à 80 ans. Les taux moyens de ferritine sérique chez les sujets et le groupe témoin étaient respectivement de 188,65 ± 97,92ng/ml et 194,49 ± 76,67ng/ml mais cette différence n'était pas statistiquement significative (p = 0,724). Cependant, les sujets atteints d'AGA prématurée avaient un taux de ferritine sérique significativement plus bas que ceux atteints d'AGA à l'âge adulte (p = 0,020). CONCLUSION: La carence en fer est connue pour provoquer un défaut quantitatif dans la production d'hémoglobine, limitant la quantité d'oxygène transportée pour la croissance des cheveux et ceci, en plus des facteurs génétiques, peut expliquer pourquoi les individus atteints d'AGA prématuré ont un taux de ferritine sérique significativement bas. Mots clés: Alopécie androgénétique, chute de cheveux, micronutriments, fer, ferritine, Nigeria.

Pattern of paediatric dermatoses at dermatology clinics in Ile-Ife and Ilesha, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: In developing countries, skin diseases are one of the most common causes of morbidity. AIM: A prospective descriptive study was conducted to determine the pattern of skin diseases in childhood and adolescents presenting to the outpatient dermatology clinics of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex at Ile-Ife and Ilesha, Osun State. METHODS: Patients aged 2 weeks to 19 years attending the clinics between October 2009 and September 2012 were included. RESULTS: A total of 491 dermatoses were recorded in 441 patients. There were 244 (49.6%) males. Dermatophyte infections (17.1%), papular urticaria (6.7%), atopic dermatitis (6.3%), vitiligo (5.3%), acne (4.7%) and viral warts (3.7%) were the most frequent dermatoses. Skin infections and infestations, mostly dermatophyte infections and viral warts, accounted for 57.6% of the skin conditions. Of the non-infectious diseases, papular urticaria and atopic dermatitis were the most common. Dermatophyte infections were the most prevalent in children (25.8%), and acne vulgaris in adolescents (11.8%). CONCLUSION: Skin infections and infestations, mostly dermatophyte infections, were the most prevalent in children, and acne vulgaris in adolescents.

Pattern of dermatoses among inmates of Ilesha Prison, Nigeria.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Dermatoses are common health problems in prisons and environmental conditions influence their prevalence and pattern. Hot and humid environment as obtains in the tropics, stress, and overcrowding are conditions that facilitate development of. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of dermatoses in a prison located in a tropical environment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was done in May-July 2006 in a South-West Nigerian prison. Using a purpose designed questionnaire, information on sex, age, prison status, and number in rooms was obtained and inmates were clinically examined. RESULTS: Inmates studied were 305 (296 males and 9 females). Dermatoses were found in 221 inmates with overall prevalence of 72.5% (221/305). Infectious disorders were seen in 67.9% (150/221) and non-infectious in 32.1% (71/221). The diseases occurred in 72.9% (167/229) of awaiting trial persons and 72.9% (51/70) convicted persons. Overcrowding was more in cells (average sleeping area was 9.5 sq feet). Skin diseases affected 80.3% (61/76) of inmates in cells and 69.9% (160/229) in dormitory rooms.. About 71.2% (94/132) of inmates affected stay in five highly overcrowded dormitory rooms with infectious disorders in 48.5% (64/132). Dermatophyte infections were 34.3% of 332 dermatoses seen, pityriasis versicolor 14.5%, acne vulgaris 12.3%, dandruff 10.5%, 28.4%. A significant relationship was found with overcrowding and place where dermatoses were first noticed. CONCLUSION: Dermatoses are common health problem of prisoners, and prison conditions facilitate these problems.