Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Retrospective Study in a Tertiary Referral Center.

BACKGROUND

Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) is a very common problem in women. The underlying pathophysiology remains unclear, and there are no universally agreed treatment guidelines.

OBJECTIVE

We explored the clinical features, relevant medical and family history, laboratory evaluation, and treatment and compliance of 210 patients with FPHL.

METHODS

Data analysis from case notes was performed on 210 patients with a diagnosis of FPHL seen from January 2011 to December 2011.

RESULTS

The youngest individual was 8 years old and the oldest was 86 years old. Nearly, 85% of the patients had a family history of androgenetic alopecia. Hypothyroidism and hypertension are the most common medical problems. Telogen effluvium (TE) is the most common concurrent hair loss condition. Only 38% of the patients were found to have normal Vitamin D level, 71% had ferritin level above 30 μg/L, and 85% had normal zinc level at the first consultation. Fifty-nine percent of the patients failed to attend any follow-up appointments.

LIMITATIONS: One of the limitations of this study is its retrospective nature. Moreover, the severity of FPHL in terms of Ludwig score was not routinely documented in the medical charts.

CONCLUSION

History of TE, hypothyroidism and hypertension, and low serum Vitamin D is common in our patients with FPHL.