The convergence between diagnostic methods in women with non-scarring hair loss

Abstract

Background: Hair loss is a major cause of dermatology visits resulting in considerable anxiety and distress for patients. The objective of the current research was to investigate the association among various diagnostic methods related to non-scarring hair loss in women.<br /> Methods: After obtaining the complete history, clinical examination was carried out on women suffering from diffuse nonscaring alopecia. Laboratory tests and histo-pathologic study were conducted for each patient, and ultimately, data were analyzed by SPSS version 16.<br /> Result: Forty-one women were enrolled with the average age of 28.1±8.4 years (16-48). Mean duration of hair loss was 6.2 years (2 months-20 years). The most prevalent type of hair loss was androgenetic alopecia. The sensitivity and specificity with which the clinical examination was done to detect this common ilk of hair loss was 94% and 25%, respectively. No acceptable correlation existed between laboratory test results (such as testosterone, DHEAS, ferritin and TSH) and clinical diagnosis. Data were further assessed through the use of IBM SPSS software version 22 using fisher exact test and Kappa coefficient. The significance level was set at p<0.05.<br /> Conclusion: Clinical examination is an accurate approach to diagnosing certain types of non-scarring hair loss in women, eliminating the necessity to perform various endocrinology and laboratory tests; however, it is only through histopathologic studies that an exact diagnosis is specified.