The Demographics of Male Pattern Baldness
in India
Tejinder Bhatti, MD
International
Society of Hair Restoration Surgery 19th annual scientific meeting
October 2011
Anchorage, Alaska
www.hairtransplant-india.org
Joint Editor,
Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery 2008-2011 www.ijps.org
Governing
Council Member, Association of Plastic Surgeons of India 2008-2010
www.apsi.org.in Governing Council Member, Indian Asso
of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons 2009-2011 ww.iaaps.net Founder Secretary,
Association of Hair Restoration Surgeons, India 2009-2014 www.ahrsindia.com Global Council Member, International Society of
Hair Restoration Surgeons (USA) www.ishrs.org Governor for Chandigarh region,
Association of Restorative & Cosmetic Surgery
Co-ordinator, National Training Programme,
Association of Hair Restoration
Surgeons
Founder Member:
Association of
Hair Restoration Surgeons, India www.ahrsindia.com
India hair Forum
www.besthairtransplants.ning.com
T. Bhatti:
None.
ABSTRACT:
Summary:
Male pattern
baldness is an ever-growing affliction today and affects men from the age group
of 16-65.
The last decade
has seen an increase in the number of patients suffering from male pattern
baldness (MPB) in the Indian scenario. Many studies have been carried out in
the western populations regarding MPB. However, this is the only pilot study of
its kind in India. 50,000 male patients were randomly selected through email
contact groups and mailers sent. Of the 50,000 mailers sent, 36,788 responses
were obtained and were collated and studied. The study brings out the results
of this landmark study in the subcontinent.
Introduction:
MPB is an ever
increasing and distressing affliction in male populations the world over today.
In a study
carried out in the USA, 56.6% males surveyed had Type I-VII MPB. The present
study carried out in India through e-mail mailers covered a diverse
socioeconomic group from all corners of the country. The age ranged from 21-61
years (mean 46 years) and all respondents were healthy males engaged in heterogenous professions.
Conclusions:
The
striking results of the study are brought out as under -
1.
63.2% Indian males in the age group 21-61 years suffered from MPB. This is more
than the US figure of 56.6°h.
2.
The severity of MPB was - Type I- 32.7%; Type II- 18.1%; Type III- 22.0%; Type
IV- 16.2%; Type V- 8.6%; Type VII- 2.4%
3.
The age distribution of respondent’s was- 21-31
years: 46%; 32-41 years: 35; 42-51 years: 10%; 52-61 years: 9%
4.
65% of the respondents had received various medicines for MPB. The medicines
were mostly from the ayurvedic, allopathic and homeopathic systems
of medicines. 22% had received creams and pastes from untrained physicians.
Only 1.03% patients were happy with medications since in the rest hair fall
continued despite the exorbitant medicine costs involved.
5.
235 respondents had got hair transplantation done. Of these, 66% were very
satisfied with the result; 21 % were not satisfied with the density; whereas
13% were dissatisfied with the results. Of the dissatisfied
group, 88% had received outdated punch grafting at clinics which had not
updated their techniques.
6.
89.35% had a smooth recovery after the procedure, whereas 10.65% had
complications. Of the latter group, 65% had reversal of complications like
infection within 7-10
days whereas 35% had bad scars due to strip/FTJE techniques.
7.
The study compares results of a USA study from 2009 wherein 56% of the US study
group (total 35,000) had one form of MPB or the other.
8.
The study concluded that MPB was significantly more prevalent in Indian
population as compared to the US study group.
9.
Complications and poor results could be avoided by getting hair transplantation
done at reputed centers where the procedure is done routinely.
10.
The study repudiates the claim that patients are dissatisfied with hair
transplants.
