One Year Cross Sectional Study of Association Between Androgenetic Alopecia and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Male Patients visiting KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and MRC, Belgaum

Abstract

Background Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA) and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) are both androgen dependent disorders in which the enzyme 5- alpha reductase (5-AR) plays a key role in conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The purpose of this study is to analyze the association between AGA and BPH. Methods Male patients between the age group of 25-45 years attending skin OPD at KLE’s Dr Prabhakar Kore Hospital and MRC, Belgaum, with AGA during the period January 2015 to December 2015 were included. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Institutional Ethics Committee of Human Subjects Research. A short questionnaire recording their particulars and a detailed dermatological evaluation of the patient was done. All patients in the study were graded using Modified Hamilton Norwood Classification, underwent trans abdominal ultra sonogram and serum PSA level estimation. Data was analyzed by ANOVA and Spearmann’s rank correlation. Results 64 patients were enrolled in the study. 39.1% of patients had Grade III AGA, 32.8% had Grade IV AGA, 25% had Grade V AGA and 3.1% had Grade VI AGA. The minimum PSA level was 0.1 ng/ml and maximum was 4.8 ng/ml. The minimum prostate volume was 8.08 ml and maximum was 32.2 ml. Conclusion Even though an increase in the prostate volume in AGA patients was noted, this study showed no association between AGA, prostate volume and serum PSA levels.