The tendency towards the development of psychosexual disorders in androgenetic alopecia according to the different stages of hair loss: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Androgenetic alopecia is a common dermatological condition affecting both genders.

Objective: To evaluate the tendency towards development of psychosexual disorders according to the clinical stages of androgenetic alopecia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted including 353 patients of both sexes on different clinical stages of hair loss, and the patients were enquired about self-perception, self-esteem, sexual experiences, anxiety and depression states. Hair loss was classified by standardized hair loss scales, and psychological effects were assessed with questionnaires. Results were compared to p<0.05.

Results: Negative effects on each psychological parameter of androgenetic alopecia in females were higher than in males. While overall comparisons according to hair loss stages for each parameter were significant in males, only sexual experiences, anxiety and depression values were significant in females. Sexual experiences and depression values were higher in Ludwig 3 than in 1&2, while anxiety was higher in Ludwig 3 than 1. Self-perception values in Norwood 2&2A were higher than 3A, 3V, 4 and 4A, while self-esteem values in 2A were higher than 3&4. Sexual experiences values in 2&2A were lower than 3, 3A, 3V, 4 and 4A, while 3&3A were lower than 4&4A. Depression was lower in 2A than 3, 3A, and 3V, and lower in 2A than 4A. Anxiety was lower in 2A than in 4&4A.

Study limitations: Relatively small number of patients, who were from a single center.

Conclusions: In the management of androgenetic alopecia, it should be considered that patients may need psychological support according to the clinical stages, because of increased tendency to develop psychosexual disorders.

Introduction

A bidirectional relationship between psychological stress (PS) and certain skin diseases has been well documented.^1,2 Patients with skin diseases often suffer from PS due to the unwanted appearance and subjective symptoms.³ Chronic and disfiguring skin diseases may lead to negative impacts on the patients’ psychology and their quality of life (QoL), and they may feel stigmatized, anxious or depressed.^1,2 Hair loss (HL) is a frequent complaint among adults, which mostly leads to cosmetic consequences, however, it can also cause significant psychological and psychosocial impacts.^4-7 One of the most common causes for HL is androgenetic alopecia(AA), which can affect both sexes.^7,8 On the other hand, there are very few studies in the literature that evaluated the relationship between HL and its perception by patients. Additionally, the compatibility between the clinical degree of HL and patients’ psychological reflections has been very rarely reported.^4,5 Understanding the effects of the dermatological disorders on psychological states is important to be able to provide comprehensive assistance to patients. Lack of studies regarding the tendency for psychosexual disorders in accordance with the stages of AA in both sexes encouraged us to investigate this relationship.

Methods

Subjects

Appropriate permission for the study was obtained from the Local Ethics Committee of our hospital, with the report Number 2012-92 of 10/12/2012 BEAH/GOKAEK. The study was designed as cross-sectional, clinical research study on AA patients. A total of 353 patients of both sexes (male: 283, female: 70) between the ages of 15-63 with AA, who were admitted to our dermatology outpatient clinic from October 2013 to May 2014, were included in this study. The diagnosis of AA was made according to their dermatological and laboratory examination findings. Patients taking oral corticosteroids, androgenic or psychotropic drugs, or with any androgen-releasing disorders which can lead to alopecia or affect psychological status were excluded from the study. None of the patients had any concomitant dermatological or psychological disorders. The study was based on clinical examination findings and questions about the patients’ self-perception (SP), self-esteem (SE), sexual experiences (S-Exp), anxiety (ANX) and depression (DEP) states. The participants were evaluated both by a dermatologist and two psychiatrists. Informed consent was obtained from each patient or their parents before they participated in the study. Sociodemographic information such as the patients’ gender and age, educational and marital status, profession, and length of the disease were documented at the beginning of the study. Dermatological examination findings of the patients were recorded using either the female-pattern HL scale of Ludwig or the male-pattern HL scale of Norwood, and they answered questions on previously prepared questionnaires including Self-Perception Scale (SPS), RosenbergSelf-Esteem Scale (RSES), Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI).

Dermatological and psychological scales

Ludwig scale

The progression of female-pattern baldness (FPAA) is generally classified according to the Ludwig scale, which ranges from stages 1 to 3. Stage 1 begins with thinning on the top of the head. In stage 2, the scalp starts to show. Finally, almost all of the hair at the crown of the head is lost.⁸

Norwood scale

The progression of male-pattern baldness (MPAA) is generally classified according to the Norwood scale, which ranges from stages 1 to 7. Stage 1 is no baldness. Stage 2 shows the adult hairline sitting one finger’s width above the upper brow crease, with some temporal recession. The recession deepens from 2A through 3A. Stage 3V (vertex) represents early HL on the crown area. Stage 4 shows further frontal HL and enlargement of the vertex balding with a solid hair band separating the front and vertex areas. In stage 4A, the frontal and temporal recession lines converge and resemble one smooth arch. Stage 5 shows the bald areas in the front and crown continuing to enlarge with the band of hair separating the two areas beginning to break down. In stage 5V the separating band is very thin, and in 5A it disappears. Stage 6 occurs when the balding area widens, leaving a single large bald area. Stage 7 shows extensive HL with only the strip of hair remaining at the back and sides of the scalp.⁹

SPS

SPS was developed in 1953 by Secord and Jourand, and the Turkish reliability and validity was performed in 1989 by Hovardaoglu. This test is a 40-item inventory and every item is about an organ or a part of the body (arm, leg, face, etc..) or a function of the body (for example, sexual function). Items are scored on a five-point Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5 points. The total score may range from 40 to 200, with the higher scores indicating higher satisfaction. The cut-off point of the scale is 135. The lower body perception group has lower points.¹⁰

RSES

RSES is a 10-item scale that measures global self-worth by measuring both positive and negative feelings about one self. The scale is believed to be uni-dimensional. All items are answered using a 4-point Likert scale ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. The total score may range from 0 to 30. Scores between 15 and 25 are within the normal range; scores below 15 suggest low self-esteem. The study for the Turkish reliability and validity of this test was performed by Cuhadaroglu.¹¹

ASEX

This scale evaluates sexual functioning in both men and women. It is a brief scale designed to assess the core elements of sexual functioning: drive, arousal, penile erection/vaginal lubrication, ability to reach orgasm, and satisfaction with orgasm. Possible total scores range from 5 to 30, with the higher scores indicating more sexual dysfunction. Items are rated on a six-point Likert system. The study for the Turkish reliability and validity of this test was performed by Soykan.¹²

BDI

This is a 21-item inventory assessing symptoms of depression. Items are scored on a four-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (absent) to 3 (severe). The total score may range from 0 to 63. Hisli developed the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of this test. Scores between 0 and 10 are within the normal range; 11 and 16 are mild depression; 17-20 are clinical depression at the border; 21-30 are moderate depression; 31-40 are severe depression, and 40-63 very serious depression. The cut-off point of the test is 17.¹³

BAI

This is a 21-item inventory; each item has four statements describing increasing levels of severity and questions that quantify the physiological aspect of anxiety. The total score may range from 0 to 63. The Turkish reliability and validity of this test was performed by Ulusoy et al. Scores of 0-7 represent minimal anxiety, 8-15 mild anxiety, 16-25 moderate anxiety and 26-63 severe anxiety. The cut-off for identifying clinically relevant subthreshold anxiety is 11.¹⁴

Statistical Analysis

Statistical data were analyzed by NCSS (Number Cruncher Statistical System) 2007 Statistical Software (Utah, USA) package program. The mean, standard deviation, rate and frequency values were used for the description of statistical methods. The independent sample t-test was used to compare the mean scores of each psychosexual parameter according to genders. ANOVA test was used to compare of mean scores in both Ludwig and Norwood subgroups within itself, and Tukey’s multiple comparison test was used to compare variances between subgroups, as a whole, for each psychosexual parameter. The SPS, RSES, ASEX, BDI and BAI scores were used as quantitative variables, whereas demographic characteristics, disease duration, and stages of Norwood and Ludwig HL scales were used as qualitative variables. Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests were used to detect normalities of psychological test results. All association testing was conducted assuming a 5% significance level. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Demographics, disease durations, and distribution of subjects according to sex-patterned alopecia scales

The sociodemographic findings, disease durations, and the distribution of patients according to Norwood and Ludwig scales are shown in table 1. The age range of males was 15-59, while the range was 15-63 for female patients. The mean age of the total subjects was 24.87± 8.28. The mean age of the females (31.77±11.18) was significantly higher than the males (23.16±6.34), (p=0.0001). Most of the male (n=282, 99.65%) and female patients (n=64, 91.4%) were under the age of 50. The minimum and maximum disease durations were 3 months and 5 years, and the mean duration was 1-3 years. In females, the distributions of Ludwig subgroups were 45 (64.3%) in subgroup 2, 19 (27.1%) in subgroup 3, and six (8.6%) in subgroup 1. In males, only Norwood 2, 2A, 3, 3A, 3V, 4 and 4A subgroups were detected. The distributions of the males according to these subgroups in descending order were 96 (33.9%) in subgroup 2A, 61(21.6%) in subgroup 3, 44 (15.5%) in subgroup 2, 31 (11.0%) in subgroup 3A, 21 (7.4%) in subgroup 3V, 19 (6.7%) in subgroup 4, and 11 (4%) in subgroup 4A.

Table 1.

Demographic characteristics, disease duration, and distribution of Norwood and Ludwig subgroups according to HL stages

Demographic and Clinical Variables		n	%
Age groups	15-25	231	65.44
	26-35	86	24.36
	36-45	26	7.37
	>46	10	2.83
Sex	Male	283	80.17
	Female	70	19.83
Marital status	Single	236	66.90
	Married	117	33.10
Education	Elementary school	49	13.90
	High school	147	41.60
	Secondary school	128	36.30
	University	29	8.20
Income	Low (<500 $)	126	35.69
	Middle (500-1000$)	163	46.18
	High (>1000$)	64	18.13
Profession	Unemployed	26	7.37
	Housewife	43	12.18
	Employee	72	20.40
	Public servant	54	15.30
	Self-employment	158	44.76
Disease duration	3-6 months	21	5.95
	6-12 months	105	29.75
	1-3 years	147	41.64
	>3 year	80	22.66
Norwood stages	Norwood 2	44	15.5
	Norwood 2A	96	33.9
	Norwood 3	61	21.6
	Norwood 3A	31	11.0
	Norwood 3V	21	7.4
	Norwood 4	19	6.7
	Norwood 4A	11	4
Ludwig stages	Ludwig 1	6	8.6
	Ludwig 2	45	64.3
	Ludwig 3	19	27.1

Comparison of the values obtained from psychological tests according to genders

The psychological measurements of the patients according to genders are shown in table 2. The mean values for SPS and RSES in females were significantly lower, and the values for ASEX, BDI and BAI were significantly higher than in males (each at p=0.0001).

Table 2.

Comparison of mean values of all psychological measurements according to gender

Psychological measurements	Male n=283 (mean±SD)	Female n=70 (mean±SD)	p value
SPS	134.92±26.81	104.4±17.98	0.0001
RSES	15.76±5.33	11.57±2.88	0.0001
ASEX	17.52±4.41	22.24±3.3	0.0001
BDI	8.82±5.07	14.74±4.44	0.0001
BAI	5.95±3.83	11.93±4.85	0.0001

Comparisons of Ludwig and Norwood subgroups within themselves and their multiple comparisons

In the comparison of the mean values of the Ludwig subgroups in females, significant differences were detected only for ASEX, BDI and BAI scales (Table 3). In the multiple comparison tests, the mean values of the Ludwig 3 were significantly higher than those of Ludwig 1 and 2 for ASEX and for BDI, while the mean value of Ludwig 3 was significantly higher than Ludwig 1 for BAI (Table 4). In males, between the mean values in the Norwood subgroups, there were significant differences for all five scales (Table 5). Because the scores of BDI and BAI tended to be asymmetrical, the normality of their distributions were checked with Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests. Since the results of these tests for BDI and BAI variables were 0.947 and 0.951, respectively, the distributions of the tests were accepted as symmetric, with a confidence of 95%. In the multiple comparison tests of Norwood subgroups, significant differences were also obtained. SP values in Norwood 2 and 2A were higher than in 3A, 3V, 4 and 4 A, while SE values in 2A was higher than in 3 and 4. The values regarding S-Exp in 2 and 2A were lower than in 3, 3A, 3V, 4 and 4A, while in 3 and 3A were lower than in 4 and 4A. DEP was lower in 2A than in 3, 3A, and 3V, while it was lower in 2A than 4A. ANX was lower in 2A than in 4 and 4A (Table 6).

Table 3.

Comparison of mean values of all psychological measurements according to the Ludwig subgroups

Psychological measurements	Ludwig 1 n=6 (mean±SD)	Ludwig 2 n=45 (mean±SD)	Ludwig 3 n=19 (mean±SD)	p value
SPS	111±19.6	106.36±19.21	97.68±12.63	0.136
RSES	12.67±2.73	11.78±3.23	10.74±1.7	0.263
ASEX	18.83±2.14	21.8±3.17	24.37±2.61	0.0001
BDI	13.33±2.66	14±5.06	16.95±1.96	0.036
BAI	9.17±5.38	11.42±4.87	14.01±4.04	0.047

Table 4.

Multiple comparisons of mean values of ASEX, BDI and BAI, according to Ludwig subgroups

Stages	ASEX	BDI	BAI
Ludwig 1 / Ludwig 2	0.062	0.932	0.516
Ludwig 1 / Ludwig 3	0.0001	0.048	0.048
Ludwig 2 / Ludwig 3	0.006	0.038	0.120

Table 5.

Comparison of mean values of all psychological measurements according to the Norwood subgroups

Clinical Stages	N	SPS	RSES	ASEX	BDI	BAI
Norwood 2	44	145.07±28.08	15.98±4.59	15.84±4.19	8.18±5.38	6.11±4.4
Norwood 2A	96	142.96±26.09	17.71±5.33	15.14±4.03	6.84±4.44	4.9±3.65
Norwood 3	61	131.97±28.18	14.98±5.31	18.23±3.24	10.07±5.16	6.05±3.63
Norwood 3A	31	125.84±20.24	13.23±4.46	19.06±3.38	10.81±4.67	6.94±3.86
Norwood 3V	21	126.14±22.02	16.1 ±5.6	20.1±2.59	10.19±4.24	6.29±2.7
Norwood 4	19	116.79±18.38	12.16±4.5	22.63±3.76	9.84±5.43	7.53±3.73
Norwood 4A	11	114.18±14.25	14.82±5.29	23.09±2.55	11.64±4.88	7.73±4.25
p value		0.0001	0.0001	0.0001	0.0001	0.017

Table 6.

Multiple comparisons of mean values of all psychological measurements according to Norwood subgroups

Clinical Stages	SPS	RSES	ASEX	BDI	BAI
Norwood 2 / 2A	0.999	0.504	0.941	0.735	0.564
Norwood 2 / 3	0.124	0.957	0.019	0.440	0.999
Norwood 2 / 3A	0.022	0.246	0.004	0.244	0.967
Norwood 2 / 3V	0.045	0.999	0.0001	0.707	0.999
Norwood 2 / 4	0.001	0.094	0.0001	0.875	0.819
Norwood 2 / 4A	0.006	0.994	0.0001	0.348	0.864
Norwood 2A / 3	0.114	0.021	0.0001	0.001	0.501
Norwood 2A / 3A	0.02	0.001	0.0001	0.002	0.123
Norwood 2A / 3V	0.047	0.845	0.0001	0.047	0.725
Norwood 2A / 4	0.001	0.0001	0.0001	0.177	0.043
Norwood 2A / 4A	0.007	0.561	0.0001	0.034	0.048
Norwood 3 / 3A	0.928	0.705	0.947	0.993	0.937
Norwood 3 / 3V	0.971	0.978	0.413	0.999	0.999
Norwood 3 / 4	0.255	0.349	0,0001	0.999	0.748
Norwood 3 / 4A	0.328	0.999	0.001	0.956	0.822
Norwood 3A / 3V	0.999	0.421	0.955	0.999	0.996
Norwood 3A / 4	0.882	0.991	0.017	0.993	0.998
Norwood 3A / 4A	0.845	0.974	0.032	0.999	0.997
Norwood 3V / 4	0.905	0.186	0.310	0.999	0.944
Norwood 3V / 4A	0.864	0.994	0.304	0.985	0.947
Norwood 4 / 4A	0.999	0.813	0.999	0.959	0.999

Discussion

The prevalence of MPAA is highest in Caucasians, and reaches around 80% in men over 70.^9,15 MPAA may begin shortly after puberty although in most men the onset is later.¹⁵ Most of our male patients (99.65%) were under 50, and the mean age was low at 23.16±6.34. FPAA is accepted as a corresponding condition of MPAA in women.¹⁶ It usually occurs at more advanced ages, and it affects more than 50% of women over the age of 50. Venning and Dawber found that 87% of 254 premenopausal women and 63% of 310 postmenopausal women without specific complaints of HL were in Ludwig 1-3 groups.¹⁷ Birch et al., evaluating 377 women who presented to a dermatology clinic with complaints unrelated to HL, reported a 6% incidence of the Ludwig pattern in women under the age of 50 years and 38% in women over 70.¹⁸ The increasing incidence of FPAA with advanced age was confirmed by Norwood in that 14% of 568 women under 50 reported HL compared to 26% of 438 women over 50.¹⁶ In Gan and Sinclair’s study, these incidences (defined as more than stage 2) have been reported as 20% and 42%, respectively.¹⁹ The incidence is only 3% in ages 20-29.²⁰ In contrast to the literature, most of our female patients (91.43%) were under the age of 50, with a mean age of 31.77±11.18. Most of them were in Ludwig 2 (27.1%), and less in Ludwig 3 (8.6%). Although our female population was low in count compared to literature, their mean age was still lower. On the other hand, PS-conditions that stem from a disfiguring or dermatological disorder like HL are accepted as “secondary psychiatric disorders”. These include adjustment disorders with DEP, ANX, disturbance of conduct, and emotions of conduct. Associated features may be somatic and/or sexual dysfunction, feelings of guilt and/or obsession. Its effects on the patients’ body image lead to the overall negative impact on their QoL.²¹ These psychological consequences are dependent on coping skills and on the personality traits, and the most important effect is a loss of self-confidence. This effect is enhanced by an insecurity or ambivalent attachment pattern.²² Different perceptions about HL are strongly associated with the value given to hair in society.²¹ Negative psychological effects of AA are more apparent among women than men, and among treatment-seeking patients.⁷ It has been reported that 55% of FPAA patients displayed symptoms of DEP, whereas MPAA patients were more likely to display ANX (78%) or demonstrate aggressiveness or hostility (22%).²³ For a modern man, the significance of hair is almost always seen as an identity and sexual symbol.²¹ Although MPAA is usually accepted as a normal biological process, probable societal attitudes toward male balding vary between indifference and negativity. However, due to the fact that protection of youthfulness is of great value, and this concept is continuously incited by current media, HL is usually seen as a marker of aging and declining vigor and charm.^7,15 Therefore, a balding man who seeks medical remedy is inevitably unhappy about his HL, and sometimes this complaint reaches the level of a body dysmorphic disorder.^15,24 These patients display conflicting self-beliefs with discrepancies between the real and desired image, and have unrealistic ideals as to how they should look.²¹ Although the severity and frequency of MPAA in the population increase with advanced age, concerns about HL tend to be most prominent in young men who consider physical attractiveness as a vital factor.¹⁵ These concerns may lead to increased PS, lowered SE, reduced satisfaction with body image and general ANX about other difficulties related to self-worth.²⁴ Cash has indicated that AA is typically experienced as a moderately stressful condition that decreases body image satisfaction. ⁷ Maffei et al. reported a high frequency of personality disorders among men with MPAA.²⁴ Alphonso et al. have stated that MPAA negatively affects patients’ personal attractiveness and social life. ²⁵ Williamson et al. have also reported low SE and loss of self-confidence in MPAA patients.²⁶ Moreover, Kranz et al. have reported that psychological distress due to HL did not depend on the age of patients or the stage of HL in MPAA. Additionally, they stated three different ways to cope: compensation, avoidance, and acceptance. According to them, compensation and avoidance were associated with high levels of distress, while acceptance was not related to distress especially in advanced stages of MPAA.²⁷ Wells et al. have reported that increasing degrees of HL in MPAA were associated with loss of SE, DEP, introversion, neuroticism and feeling unattractive.²⁸ In our male patients, gradually decreased values for SPS indicated that the HL might have negatively affected their SPs with the increase rate of HL, and especially from stage 3A. For RSES, although there was a decrease from the first to last stage, because of the presence of relative increases in 2A, 3V and 4A, we thought that patients of these stages might have temporarily adapted to their HL. Two comparisons, between 2A and 3, and, 2A and 4 especially indicated higher negative effects for SE. Although these results were compatible with Maffei et al., Williamson et al. and Wells et al.’s statements in terms of increased tendency for lowered SE, because of the stage-related differences, our results were different from Kranz et al.’s results. For ASEX, except for between 2 and 2A, presence of gradually increased values indicated that negative sexual effects of HL began especially from stage 3. For BDI, despite presence of an increased difference between the first and last stage, most significant impact for tendency to DEP was obtained between the stages of 2A and 3. However, the absence of significant differences in the comparisons after stage 3 with all other later stages might have indicated an adaptation to HL. For BAI, presence of significant differences only between 2A and 4, and, 2A and 4A, indicated that a tendency to ANX might have begun after 2A, but might not have appeared until stage 4. On the other hand, FPAA is often emotionally destructive condition for the women.^4,6 Long, voluminous hair is thus representative of health and youthfulness. Younger women are more likely to complain of HL than those in perimenopause, and a significant association between symptoms of DEP and HL with respect to the patients particularly in the third and fourth decades of life has been shown. However, this association has been reported to not be valid for patients over 50, possibly because different conditions that trigger symptoms of DEP in this age group can simultaneously be found, as well as an increased prevalence of organic cerebral syndrome in the elderly.⁴ Schmidt has reported that a specific attachment vulnerability can be determined in some FPAA patients.²⁹ Tabolli et al. have showed a higher prevalence of DEP and ANX in FPAA patients compared to patients with MPAA. They have also stated that females were more likely to adopt an “active emotional coping” strategy and less likely to have “externally oriented thinking”, and more difficulty “identifying feelings”.³⁰ Schmidt et al. and Cash have reported that FPAA patients had lower SE, higher emotional distress and higher social ANX compared to females with normal hair.^4,7,31 Maffei et al. have suggested that HL and psychiatric disorders like DEP, could often be found together in FPAA patients.²⁴ Contrarily, Hirsso et al. have specified that the presence of DEP was not significantly higher in FPAA patients compared to women having normal hair.³² In our subjects, due to the absence of any significant difference between the Ludwig stages for SP and SE, we evaluated that HL did not differently affect women’s SP and SE at any stage. Contrarily, the high scores of ASEX, BDI and BAI in our female patients might be related to the negative outward body image resulting from a sense of decreased physical attractiveness, sexual loss, masculinization, and being perceived as ugly by the opposite sex. These negative effects increased throughout the stages, and was the most intense in Ludwig 3. However, due to the very few numbers in Ludwig 1, we thought that these results could not be enough to make adequate comparisons. Although our work was not a prevalence study for these psychological disorders, we think that determination of the gradually increased tendencies for the negative effects of AA prior to the full development of the diseases is important to be able to provide appropriate psychological assistance to patients, at the right time. However, there is a need for further large and controlled studies to support our results.

Conclusion

AA may be a vital issue for some people who seek remedies for their HL due to a multitude of reasons. For successfully managing this process, it is very important to know which patient at which stage needs which kind of therapeutic approach (e.g medical, surgical and/or psychotherapy ). Our findings show that AA patients of both sexes have an increased tendency to develop psychosexual disorders as the stage of HL advances, and these impacts were found especially on S-Exp, ANX and DEP parameters in women. Therefore, we suggest that AA patients should be supported psychologically from the first consultation.

Financial support: None.

Conflict of interest: None.