Prevalence and Patterns of Male Androgenetic Alopecia in Tarauni, Kano, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Male androgenetic alopecia (MAA) is disorder which may significantly impact on the
individual's self–image and lead to decreased quality of life (QoL). Its prevalence and pattern vary in different
races and ages. It has been associated with cardiovascular risk factors. This study aims to describe the prevalence and pattern of AGA in Tarauni local government area, Kano state.
Methods: It is a cross sectional, descriptive, community based study. Four hundred males aged 18 years
and above were selected through a multistage sampling process. Study subjects were subjected to physical
examination and relevant history was taken. Grading of AGA was done using Norwood–Hamilton
classification. The data was analysed using the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences V16.
Results: The overall prevalence of MAA (Grade I-VII Norwood-Hamilton) in the 400 subjects was 65% with
group prevalence of 50.4% in participants aged 18-29 years, 54.4% in those aged 30-39 years, 72.2% in
those aged 40-49 years, 76.1% in those aged 50-59 years, 90.6% in those aged 60-69 years and 100 in
those aged 70 years and above. MAA has a self-reported onset at about 20-24 years with a range of 17-30
years. The prevalence of cosmetically obvious (severe) forms (III-VII) was 20.3%. Frontal balding patterns
were commoner than vertex balding (80.3% vs 19.7%). Mild degrees of balding (Norwood I-II) were the
commonest across the age groups. Atypical patterns have a prevalence of 0.3%. The prevalence of
hypertension was 28.5% among men with MAA compared to men without MAA, 17.1%. (28.5% vs 17.1% p=
0.021), however MAA was not an independent predictor of hypertensive status.
Conclusion: Frontal balding and mild degrees of balding are the most common patterns across all age groups.
Hypertension is more frequent among those with AGA than controls, but AGA is not an independent
predictor of hypertensive status.