Non-scarring diffuse hair loss in females (18-45 years) of age
Keywords:
Non-scarring, Diffuse hair loss, Reproductive ageAbstract
Objective: To evaluate the etiology and severity of diffuse non-scarring hair loss in Iraqi females of the reproductive age.
Methods: The study is a prospective observational study conducted at the Dermatology Center, Medical City Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq from March 2021 to September 2022 on a convenient sample of 100 female patients 18-45 years of age who presented with non-scarring diffuse hair loss, decrease in hair density or both for at least 1 year. Full history, general and local scalp examination, hair pulling test, 24 hour hair count, hair density count, Dermatology Life Quality Index and relevant blood investigations were done for all patients.
Results: The highest proportion of study patients were in the age < 25 years (46%). Regarding hair pull test, it ranged from 3-20 hairs with a mean of 5.7 hairs and 24 hours hair count shed ranged from 21-700 hairs with a mean of 157.22 hairs/24 hours, hair density in the vertex was 80.47±19.05 hair/cm2, left temporal area 82.23±18.85 hair/cm2 and right temporal area 83.19±18.8 hair/cm2. By investigations Hemoglobin was < 12 G/dl in 45% and serum ferritin was <40µG/l in 54% of patients.
Conclusion: The most common diagnosis for hair loss in females of 18-45 years of age was telogen effluvium followed by androgenetic alopecia. Young females (less than 25 years) constituted the majority.
Detailed history, general examination, local scalp examinations and investigations are important in diagnosing, evaluating and finding the etiology of diffuse non-scarring alopecia in young females.
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