Quality of life, anxiety and depression in patients with androgenetic alopecia

Background: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common form of hair loss, which can result in body image disorder and negative social feelings. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) and the risk of anxiety and depression in AGA patients. Method: Sociodemographic data of the patients and clinical severity of the disease were recorded. The QoL score of patient and controls was evaluated with DLQI and SF-36 instruments, their anxiety and depression risks were evaluated with HAD (HAD-A and HAD-D) instruments. Results: Sixty-eight patients with AGA were included in our study. Young male AGA patients' quality of life levels were found to be low according to role limitations due to emotional problems, emotional wellbeing and emotional scores of SF-36 scale and younger female AGA patients quality of life levels were also found to be low according to role limitations due to emotional problems, and emotional scores of SF-36 scale. The DLQI scores of patients of both sex were found to be significantly higher compared to control group. According to anxiety and depression risk assessment with HAD scale, it was found that 28.6% and 73.5% of patients were prone to suffer from anxiety and depression respectively. Conclusion: Apart from managing alopecia, practitioners should be aware of the possible psychosocial distress of AGA patients and manage accordingly.