OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to confirm the association between androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). It also aimed to determine if early-onset AGA among males and AGA among females increases the risk of developing MetS, and if severity of AGA increases the odds of developing MetS.

METHODS: Observational studies from electronic databases were selected by the consensus of three independent review authors. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for assessing the quality of non-randomized studies in meta-analysis was used. Statistical analyses were accomplished using Review Manager software.

RESULTS: A total of 11 case-control studies, one prospective cohort study, and five cross-sectional studies were selected. In the meta-analysis of ten case-control studies and three cross-sectional studies (3840 participants), AGA was significantly correlated with MetS (OR 2.59, 95% CI 1.51 to 4.44; p<0.0005). Early-onset AGA among males (

CONCLUSION: Although the pathophysiology still remains under investigation, the present study points to an association between AGA and MetS. It can be used as a marker to identify patients who should be screened for MetS and managed accordingly.