157 Examining the Etiology Telogen Effluvium in Pre- and Postmenopausal Women: A Chart Review Study

Janet L. Roberts Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA

Telogen effluvium is caused by premature cycling of anagen hairs into the telogen phase, usually in response to a physiologic insult. This chart review retrospective study was performed in a dermatology practice specializing in hair disorders to establish the most common cause of telogen effluvium in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. One hundred and fifty three women who were diagnosed with telogen effluvium from 1995-1998 were studied. All women diagnosed with female pattern hair loss or other confounding factors were excluded as were those women who did not return for follow up. Resolution of the telogen effluvium was required for inclusion in the analysis. Seventy two percent (n=75) of women in the premenopausal group were found to have iron deficiency as the cause of telogen effluvium. Iron deficiency is defined as having a ferritin level of under 40ng/ml or iron percent saturation under 20%. Forty nine percent (N=24) of women in the postmenopausal group were found to have drug-induced telogen effluvium while 29% (N=14) had iron deficiency. Iron deficiency is the most common cause of telogen effluvium in premenopausal women. Although medications are the most common cause of telogen effluvium in postmenopausal women, iron deficiency should not be ruled out.