Assessment of quality of life in patients with female pattern hair loss in a tertiary care hospital in India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20241191Keywords:
FPHL, Androgenetic alopecia, QoLAbstract
Background: Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) is the most common cause of hair loss in women. Although it is a mild dermatological disorder, psychologists and dermatologists have observed that even clinically imperceptible hair loss is capable of damaging the quality of life (QoL) of patients due to the loss of self-image and diminished self-esteem.
Methods: After obtaining consent from patients 66 females filling in inclusion criteria were selected for study. Data was collected from OPD case papers once and a fifteen-minute interview regarding the illness and symptoms was conducted as per the questionnaires (Hairdex, VAS, DLQI) to evaluate the QoL.
Results: The QoL subscales results showed the younger age group (≤30 years) was more affected in all Hairdex subscales. They fared significantly poorly with higher scores than older patients (>30 years) as far as symptom score and stigmatization were concerned (p<0.05). Even DLQI scores was highest in patients less than 20 years of age. Mean dermatology life quality index (DQLI) score of younger subjects was significantly higher than older subjects (p<0.05).
Conclusions: Our study showed that there is statistically significant decrease in QoL in patients with FPHL more so in younger patients. Younger patients seem to be more stigmatized, have poor functioning and emotional stability.
Metrics
References
Zhuang X, Zhen Y, Xu J, Fan W. Quality of life in women with female pattern hair loss and the impact of topical minoxidil treatment on quality of life in these patients. Experimental Therapeutic Med. 2013;6(2):542-6.
Cash T. The psychological effects of androgenetic alopecia in men. J Am Academy Dermatol. 1992;26(6):926-31.
Messenger A. Hair through the female life cycle. Bri J Dermatol. 2011;165:2-6.
Wang T, Zhou C, Shen Y, Wang X, Ding X, Tian S, et al. Prevalence of androgenetic alopecia in China: a community-based study in six cities. Bri J Dermatol. 2010;162(4):843-7.
Gan D, Sinclair R. Prevalence of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss in Maryborough. J Investigative Dermatol Symposium Proceedings. 2005;10(3):184-9.
Singal A, Sonthalia S, Verma P. Female pattern hair loss. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2013;79:626-40.
Bhat YJ, Saqib NU, Latif I, Hassan I. Female pattern hair loss-An update. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2020;11:493-501
Schmidt S, Fischer TW, Chren MM, Strauss BM, Elsner P. Strategies of coping and quality of life in women with alopecia. Br J Dermatol. 2001;144:1038-43.
Sawant N, Chikhalkar S, Mehta V, Ravi M, Madke B, Khopkar U. Androgenetic alopecia: Quality-of-life and associated lifestyle patterns. Int J Trichol. 2010;2(2):81.
Freites-Martinez A, Shapiro J, Chan D, Fornier M, Modi S, Gajria D, et al. Endocrine Therapy–Induced Alopecia in Patients with Breast Cancer. JAMA Dermatol. 2018;154(6):670.
Hahn H, Melfi C, Chuang T, Lewis C, Gonin R, Hanna M, Farmer E, Use of the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) in a midwestern US urban clinic. J Am Academy Dermatol. 2001;45(1):44-8.
Donk J, Passchier J, Knegt-Junk C, Wegen-Keijser M, Nieboer C, Stolz E, et al. Psychological characteristics of women with androgenetic alopecia: a controlled study. Bri J Dermatol. 1991;125(3):248-52.
Fischer T, Schmidt S, Strauss B, Elsner P. Hairdex. Der Hautarzt. 2001;52(3):219-27.
Tahir K, Aman S, Naddem M, Kazmi AH. Quality of life in patients with androgenetic alopecia. Ann King Edward Med Univ. 2013;19:150-4.