P25 THE PREVALENCE AND TYPES OF ANDROGENETIC ALOPECIA IN KOREANS

Woo-Young Sim, MD, Jong-Hyun Paik, MD, Kwang Hyun Cho, MD*, Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, *Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University
Seoul, Korea

It is known that there are racial differences in the incidence or pattern of hair loss in AGA. This study was undertaken to obtain a more precise estimate of the prevalence and types of AGA in both Korean men and women and to compare the results with that of Caucasians. The prevalence and types of AGA were analyzed in 10,132 Koreans (5,531 males and 4,601 females) who visited the health examination center at Kyung Hee University Hospital for regular health examinations from December 10, 1997 to July 2, 1999.  

The results were as follows :

1.    In Korean men, the prevalence of AGA in all ages was 14.1%. It was increased steadily with advancing age, but lower than that of Caucasian;  2.3% in the 3rd decade, 4.0% in the 4th decade, 10.8% in the 5th decade, 24.5% in the 6th decade, 34.3% in the 7th decade, and 46.9% in over 70. Type III vertex was the most common type in the third to seventh decades, and in over 70, type VI was most common. Interestingly, a female pattern (not involving frontal hairline) was observed in 11.1% (87 of 782 males with AGA).

2.    In Korean women, the prevalence of AGA in all ages was 5.6%. It was also increased steadily with advancing age; 0.2% in the 3rd decade, 2.3% in the 4th decade, 3.8% in the 5th decade, 7.4% in the 6th decade, 11.7% in the 7th decade, and 24.7% in over 70. Grade I was the most common type up to the sixth decade, but in over 60, Grade I and II were similar in prevalence. Grade III (total baldness) was not observed.

3.    The family history of baldness was present in 48.5% of male patients and 45.2% in female patients.  

In conclusion, the prevalence of AGA in Korean men and women was lower than that of Caucasians. Korean men tend to have more frontal hairline preservation and show more female pattern than Caucasians. Therefore, it is thought that the female pattern should be added to the classification of AGA among Korean men.