Evaluation of Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia in Shanghai: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) affects the quality of life (QoL) and has a negative psychological impact on patients. We sought to investigate the frequency of anxiety and depression in AGA patients and explore their relationship with patients’ QoL. This cross-sectional survey enrolled 192 participants with AGA. Hairdex, World Health Organization Quality of life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF), and dermatology life quality index (DLQI) instruments were used to assess the QoL of patients, and hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) was used to evaluate patients’ anxiety symptom and depression symptom. HADS, WHOQOL-BREF, and DLQI scores and domains of the Hairdex score were analyzed using linear regression and Pearson correlation. Apart from self-confidence, all four domains of Hairdex were significantly correlated with depression scores and anxiety scores. All four domains of WHOQOL-BREF were significantly correlated with depression and anxiety scores. While all six domains of DLQI were also significantly correlated with anxiety scores only. This study demonstrates a significant correlation between psychiatric morbidity and QoL in individuals with AGA. Hence, psychiatric treatment evaluations should be considered.