Serum androgen levels and their relationship to pattern and severity of hair growth in hirsute women presenting at private centre in Hyderabad

Abstract

Objective To determine the frequency of raised serum androgen levels in hirsute women and their relationship to the pattern and severity of hair growth in patients presenting at private cosmetic center atHyderabad.Patients and methods In this cross-sectional study, conducted in a private cosmetic and aesthetic centre, Hyderabad, from January, 2007 to December, 2007, 65 consecutive patients of hirsutism attending the centre were enrolled. Twenty normal women of similar ages (mean age 23.60±2.90 years) without signs of hirsutism and with normal menstrual cycle were also included as control group. Informed consent was obtained from all patients. Duration, pattern, and severity of hair growth (Ferriman-Gallwey score), weight, body mass index, acne and sebhorrhea were also evaluated. Serum testosterone, serum androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate levels were assessed in all patients and controls. Correlation between serum androgen levels and pattern and severity of hair growth was determined. Chi-square test was applied to determine p value.Results: A total of 65 patients were enrolled in study. Their ages ranged from 16 to 45 years (mean age 24.49±6.44 years). Thirty nine (60%) patients had normal androgen levels without evidence of significant endocrine abnormality. These were assigned idiopathic category. 26 (40%) patients had modest elevations of serum androgens. Among them, 21 had polycystic ovaries. Patients having modest to greatly elevated androgen levels (serum testosterone) had severe hirsutism with Ferriman-Gallwey scores (F-G score) ≥8. (p≤0.005). Patients with mild elevation of hormone levels had mild hirsutism with an F-G score of less than 8 (p≤0.005). Conclusion There is correlation between serum androgen levels and severity of hair growth. Serum androgen levels are greatly raised in patients with modest to severe hirsutism.