Abstract
Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) found to be associated with Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA) to date, are characterized by an apparent reduced penetrance into the phenotype suggesting a role of other factors in the etiology of AGA. OBJECTIVE: We conducted a study to investigate the role of specific allelic variants in AGA controlling for nutritional and lifestyle factors. METHODS: Individual patterns of SNPs present in the baldness susceptibility locus at 20p11 (rs1160312 and rs6113491) or close to the androgen receptor (AR) gene in chromosome X (rs1041668) were investigated in 212 male subjects. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, medical history, smoking, and diet was also collected. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: After controlling for age, diet, BMI, family history of AGA, and smoking, an increased risk of AGA was found for subjects with [A] alleles for both rs1160312 (OR: 2.97; 95% CI: 1.34-6.62) and rs6113491 (OR: 2.99; 95% CI: 1.37-6.52), and for subjects with the TT genotype for rs1041668 (OR: 4.47; 95% CI: 1.60-12.5). Multivariate logistic regression indicates that diet, familiarity, and BMI, but not smoking, remain statistically significant despite the different SNP genotypes. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first indication that the rs1160312, rs6113491, and rs1041668 polymorphisms are independent risk factors for AGA that can be modulated by diet.