Distinguishing Three Classes of Androgenetic Alopecia based on Concerns in Youth: Latent Class Analysis of a Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract Background: While androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common condition, the concerns of youth about this condition, and how these concerns influence quality of life, personal well-being and health behaviour have been not been thoroughly investigated.Methods: Thai youth were asked to complete an AGA-related questionnaire including the dermatology life quality index, to assess their concerns and the clinical relevance. Latent class analysis was used for data analysis.Results: Data from 278 youth were collected. The mean participant age was 22 years (SD=0.79), and 57% of the participants were men; 94.6% of the participants reported any hair loss, mostly in the AGA severity of grade 1-2. A three-class model showed the best fit. Latent class 1 (LC1) participants (58%) had the lowest probabilities of concerns regarding AGA. LC2 participants (22%) had a generally low probabilities of AGA concerns, except when they were flirting, when they were with their lover and regarding how their hair looked when they were photographed. LC3 participants (20%) were the most concerned about AGA in all aspects. Compared with LC1 participants, LC3 participants were more often to use more than 3 hair styling products (relative risk, 6.7;1.5-29.6;P=0.013) and their AGA severity was more severe in both males (relative risk, 3.2;1.1-8.9;P=0.023) and females (relative risk,10.2; 3.3-31.0;P=<0.001).Conclusions: Youths who are more worried about AGA experience higher AGA severity and poorer quality of life, and are more likely to use multiple hair styling products.