The effects of hair loss in European men: a
survey in four countries.
March 2000
Budd D, Himmelberger D, Rhodes T, Cash TE, Girman CJ.
Department of Epidemiology, Merck Research Laboratories, BL 1-7, 10
Sentry Parkway, Blue Bell, PA 19422, USA. rhodes@merck.com
Despite the high prevalence and the accepted psychological aspects of
male pattern hair loss, few have characterized the effects of hair loss
in representative samples of men in different countries.
A representative sample of households in 4 European countries
(France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom) was contacted by an
interviewer and resident males 18-40 years of age (n = 1,717) completed
a questionnaire designed specifically to evaluate attitudes to hair
loss.
The questionnaire was comprised of 78 questions translated and
pilot-tested using standard methodology into each local language.
Questionnaires queried about self-rated hair loss, satisfaction with
hair appearance, noticeability of hair loss to others, and bother,
concerns and perceptions about hair loss, as well as general physical
health (the SF-12 questionnaire) plus three additional questions about
mental health.
The self-reported degree of hair loss in men was statistically
significantly associated (p < 0.001) with all hair-loss specific effects
measured, except "limiting job opportunities".
The impact of hair loss was generally consistent in the four
countries surveyed, although less pronounced in the United Kingdom.
Age was significantly correlated with hair loss (rs = 0.34, p <
0.001). Men with greater hair loss were more bothered, more concerned
about looking older due to their hair loss, and less satisfied with
their hair appearance.
Male pattern hair loss has significant negative effects on hair-loss
specific measures in men 18 to 40 years of age in France, Italy, Germany
and the UK.
The degree that hair loss is perceived as noticeable to others
appears to be a significant contributor to these negative effects.
PMID: 10694311 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] |
