Body Composition Parameters, Carotid Intima Media Thickness and Epicardial Fat Thickness in Male Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia

Background: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a noncicatricial alopecia that happens under the stimulus of androgens in genetically predisposed individuals. Previous studies have shown that bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is an objective indicator of body composition. Measurement of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and epicardial fat thickness (EFT) indicates the risk of cardiovascular disease and subclinical atherosclerosis. In this study, we aimed to examine body composition parameters, CIMT and EFT values and to correlate these parameters with each other. Materials and Methods: Sixty-four male patients with AGA who had no history of chronic disease and 67 age-matched healthy men were included as the control group. Subjects were separated into two groups (mild/moderate and severe) based on the Hamilton baldness scale modified by Norwood. BIA and body composition parameters and echocardiographic CIMT and EFT values were evaluated in all individuals included in the study. Results: BIA; fat percentage, degree of obesity, metabolic age, body mass index (BMI) and visceral fat were higher than the controls. In echocardiographic measurements; LA diameter, interventricular septal thickness and posterior wall thickness averages were statistically significantly higher in the patients than in the controls. In the correlation analysis, a strong positive correlation was tracked between EFT and fat mass, obesity degree, BMI, visceral fat, and CIMT. On the other hand, strong negative correlation was tracked between EFT and fat free mass, muscle mass and body water. Conclusion: In the study, obesity parameters measured by BIA were higher in patients with AGA compared to the control group, but there was no difference between the groups in terms of CIMT and EFT in echocardiographic measurements. Keywords: Androgenetic alopecia, Bioelectrical impedance, CIMT, EFT, Visceral fat