Objective

2

We aimed to explore the correlation between androgen level and TCM constitution in patients with early-onset androgenetic alopecia (AGA).

Methods

2

Early-onset AGA patients who visited the Hair Medical Center of the China-Japan Friendship Hospital between November 2020 and April 2021 were selected. The clinical baseline data were collected

and the serum levels of testosterone (T)

sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)

and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) were determined. The TCM constitution questionnaire was filled out

and TCM constitution identification was carried out. The patients who have effectively completed the TCM constitution questionnaire and serum test were divided into groups

first according to the main constitution

and then according to the composite constitution with the binary classification. The analysis of variance

nonparametric test

and multivariate linear regression analysis were used to analyze the correlation between androgen level and TCM constitution.

Results

2

220 patients with early-onset AGA were enrolled. Among them

195 patients completed the questionnaire and underwent serum test. Among 195 patients in the main constitution

the top four were damp heat constitution (25.64%)

balanced constitution (21.03%)

qi stagnation constitution (16.41%) and yang deficiency constitution (11.28%). The total frequency of the composite constitution is 310 times

and the top four are damp heat constitution (22.58%)

qi stagnation constitution (16.77%)

balanced constitution (13.23%) and yang deficiency constitution (12.26%). In the main constitution grouping method

the serum SHBG level of patients with yang deficiency constitution was higher than that of patients with damp heat constitution (

P

<

0.05). The serum DHEAS level of patients with phlegm dampness constitution

qi stagnation constitution and yang deficiency constitution were lower than those with damp heat constitution (

P

<

0.05

P

<

0.01). The serum DHEAS level of patients with yin deficiency constitution and damp heat constitution were higher than those with balanced constitution (

P

<

0.01). The serum DHEAS level of patients with qi stagnation constitution and yang deficiency constitution were lower than those with yin deficiency constitution (

P

<

0.05

P

<

0.01). In the composite constitution grouping method

multivariate linear regression analysis showed that T was positively correlated with male and yang deficiency constitution. SHBG was negatively correlated with male

BMI

degree of AGA

and damp heat constitution; DHEAS was positively correlated with male

BMI

and damp heat constitution and negatively correlated with age

balanced constitution and phlegm dampness constitution.

Conclusion

2

The serum levels of T

SHBG

and DHEAS in patients with early-onset AGA are related to the TCM constitution. Androgen plays a key role in many systemic diseases

and the study of TCM constitution can provide a new way to explain the correlation.This study suggests that we should pay attention to the recuperation of patients with different TCM constitutions

the comprehensive intervention of serum androgens and other endocrine hormones

and the possibility of subsequent complications of other systemic diseases with early-onset AGA.