Female sexual dysfunction in androgenetic alopecia: Case-control study

Global prevalence of sexual dysfunction in women with skin diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Skin diseases are a category of chronic conditions that often impact patients' appearance, potentially leading to psychological issues, including sexual dysfunction. The present study is an attempt to determine the global prevalence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in women with skin diseases.

METHODS

For this systematic review and meta-analysis, databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Embase, and Google Scholar were systematically searched for relevant studies. All published research up to April 2024 imported into EndNote for further analysis. A random-effects model was applied for the analysis, and the I² statistic was used to assess study heterogeneity.

RESULTS

Analysis of 24 studies (45 datasets) indicated that the overall prevalence of FSD in women with skin diseases was estimated at 61.3% (95% CI: 53.9-68.2%). Additionally, subgroup analysis based on skin disease type revealed an FSD prevalence of 69.8% (95% CI: 56.7-80.2%) in women with vitiligo, 59.2% (95% CI: 49.1-68.5%) in those with psoriasis, and 56.5% (95% CI: 47.8-64.8%) in women with hidradenitis suppurativa.

CONCLUSION

There was a high prevalence of FSD in women with skin diseases. There is a need for policy makers and healthcare providers to prioritize the well-being of these patients.

Comparative study on sexual dysfunction in alopecia areata: prevalence and associated factors

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Alopecia areata (AA) impairs quality of life. However, there is no evidence on the impact of this disease in terms of sexual dysfunction (SD). The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of SD and possible associated factors in a cohort of patients with AA.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in a cohort of AA patients matched with healthy controls. Sexual function was assessed using a numerical scale and gender-specific questionnaires.

RESULTS

A total of 60 patients with AA and 60 healthy controls were included. The prevalence of SD was higher in women with AA than in healthy controls and in men with AA (p < 0.05). Female SD was associated with younger age, shorter duration of illness and higher rates of anxiety and depression (p < 0.05). Male SD was associated with older age and greater severity of AA (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Women with AA appear to have higher rates of SD than healthy controls and men with AA. Similarly, the factors associated with SD differ between men and women, with mood disturbance being of greater relevance in women, whereas disease severity seems to play a key role in men.

Global prevalence of sexual dysfunction among women with metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Sexual dysfunction is a common disorder among women, especially during menopause. Metabolic syndrome is a multifactorial disease that, according to previous studies, there is a relationship between the metabolic syndrome and sexual dysfunction among women. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to obtain the prevalence of Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) among women with metabolic syndrome, and to analyze available related evidence.

Methods

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the keywords of MeSH, female sexual dysfunction, FSD, metabolic syndrome were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct and Google Scholar. The searches were conducted without a lower time limit and until May 2022.

Results

The prevalence of FSD among women with metabolic syndrome was found to be 39.3% (95% CI: 28.3-51.5). In the subgroup analysis and in the review of 4 studies, the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome was 49.8% (95% CI: 26.1-73.6). Analyzing the results of the meta-regression test in examining the effect of the three factors of sample size, year of the study, age, and BMI of the patients on the heterogeneity of the meta-analysis, showed that with the increase of the sample size, the prevalence of sexual dysfunction among women with metabolic syndrome decreases (p < 0.05). Moreover, the prevalence of sexual dysfunction among women with metabolic syndrome increases (p < 0.05) with the increase in the years of conducting studies and the mean of age of women with metabolic syndrome. Also, with increasing mean of BMI of female patients with metabolic syndrome, the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in these women also increases (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Female sexual dysfunction is a global health problem that can affect women's life to a great extent. Metabolic syndrome, which is a set of factors such as obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes, affects sexual dysfunction in women. From this study, it can be concluded that there is a close relationship between metabolic syndrome and female sexual dysfunction.

Health-Related Quality of Life, Depression, and Self-esteem in Patients With Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Importance

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is associated with trichodynia, anxiety, low self-esteem, and depression, which have implications for quality of life. However, no systematic evaluation has been performed on the association of AGA with health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

Objective

To systematically examine the association of AGA with HRQOL and psychiatric disorders.

Data Sources

Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and WanFang databases were searched from inception through January 24, 2021.

Study Selection

Case series, case-control studies, cross-sectional studies, cohort studies, and randomized clinical trials that examined either HRQOL or psychiatric disorders in patients with AGA were included. Studies published in languages other than English and Mandarin were excluded.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guideline was used. The risk of bias in included studies was assessed with the Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Intervention (ROBINS-I) tool. A random-effects model meta-analysis was performed to calculate the pooled effect on HRQOL. A subgroup analysis according to sex and geographic regions was also conducted.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The outcome was HRQOL of patients with AGA.

Results

A total of 41 studies involving 7995 patients was included. The pooled Dermatology Life Quality Index score was 8.16 (95% CI, 5.62-10.71). The pooled Hair-Specific Skindex-29 score indicated moderate impairment of emotions, with the meta-analysis showing a score of 29.22 (95% CI, 24.17-34.28) in the emotion dimension. The pooled Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale score did not indicate depression, with the meta-analysis showing a score of 14.98 (95% CI, 14.28-15.68). Factors that had a direct association with HRQOL included married or coupled status and receipt of medical treatments, whereas factors that had an inverse association with HRQOL included higher self-rated hair loss severity, lower visual analog scale score, and higher educational level.

Conclusions and Relevance

This systematic review and meta-analysis found a significant association of AGA with moderate impairment of HRQOL and emotions, but no association was found with depressive symptoms. The findings suggest that patients with AGA may need psychological and psychosocial support.

The psychological and aesthetic impact of age-related hair changes in females

BACKGROUND

While dermatologists focus on practices to promote anti-aging, thinning hair that frames a more rejuvenated face can affect age perception and cosmesis.

OBJECTIVES

To characterize the effects of age-related hair changes on age determination and perceived attractiveness.

METHODS

A search was conducted for articles on intrinsic and extrinsic aging as it relates to hair. Key studies on the hair aging process and its effects on self-perception, confidence, and anti-aging were reviewed.

RESULTS

According to several studies, hair density peaks about 27 years of age or earlier and then decreases from the mid-thirties onward. This serves as an opportunity to prevent or treat hair loss in a similar way we treat aging skin. Without optimizing appearance of hair, overall cosmesis to foster self-perception can be curtailed despite multiple efforts to rejuvenate and restore the aging face.

CONCLUSION

The discrepancy between rejuvenated faces and thinner appearing hair that frames the face highlights the importance of a holistic approach to the anti-aging consultation. To more comprehensively address the aesthetic patient, we need to promote awareness of the onset of these hair changes in order to incorporate prevention and therapeutic strategies to preserve hair to complement overall appearance.

Review of quality of life studies in women with alopecia

Alopecia is a dermatologic condition that affects the pilosebaceous unit in both men and women. In addition to a thorough medical history and physical examination, a host of diagnostic tools may be warranted to differentiate nonscarring and scarring alopecias. Female pattern hair loss represents the most common form of hair loss experienced by up to 40% of women by a certain age. Although alopecia is a benign disorder, even the most negligible amount of hair loss can be devastating to a patient's self-esteem, self-image, and overall quality of life. We present this comprehensive review of quality of life studies in women with alopecia to describe the multitude of feelings and emotions associated with the disorder and remind dermatologists of the psychological impact it can have on women.