Androgenetic alopecia in policemen: higher prevalence and different risk factors relative to the general population

I disagree with the authors hypothesis however, what police officers do have in common (other than sun exposure) is increased use of stress hormones.

Arch Dermatol Res. 2011 Sep 17.
Androgenetic alopecia in policemen: higher prevalence and different risk factors relative to the general population (KCIS no. 23).
Su LH, Chen HH.

Department of Dermatology, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei County, Taiwan.

Prevalence and risk factors of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in policemen are not known. This study aimed to compare the prevalence and risk factors of AGA between policemen and the general population. A cross-sectional survey was conducted by recruiting a total of 758 (78%) of 972 policemen and 740 (80%) of 924 participants in a community-based integrated screening served as a comparison group. The Norwood classification system was used to assess the degree of hair loss. Information on age, family history of androgenetic alopecia, and other possible risk factors was collected with questionnaire interviews. The association analysis between policemen and the general population was limited to participants aged 40-59 years. After controlling for other significant factors, policemen aged 40-59 years had an increased risk of developing AGA compared with the general population (OR = 2.23, 95% CI 1.14, 4.36, p = 0.02). Obesity measured by waist circumference and body mass index made contribution to higher risk for AGA in younger policemen (20-39 years). A statistically significant association was noted between AGA and sunlight exposure in policemen aged 40-59 years. We concluded the prevalence of AGA in policemen was twofold higher than that in the general population. Obesity at young age and sunlight exposure may be responsible for higher risk of AGA in policemen. However, further studies are warranted to confirm the current findings.

Must be the donuts.

Definitely the donuts and the stress. I took an EMT class, and just about every instructor was fat/balding. They're out all day, they take stressful calls, they're in a rush and they eat junk food - the more an EMT is out working, the more sunlight they get.

The same is probably true for cops. Sunlight exposure probably associates nicely with diet and stress. I wonder how the study controlled for that.

Very interesting study. I mastered in criminology, and in my brief research on the subject of police officers, I can confidently say that the over use of stress hormones is the factor.

The profession itself can be life changing in terms overall health, when many young, idealistic, and relatively healthy individuals enter the force and becoming rapidly aged, jaded, and unhealthy people.

EDIT: I don't mean to offend anyone with the pig--I just couldn't help myself. Sorry.

I dont know if its a normal thing to develop along with hair loss, but I have a uncontrolable OCD like addiction sumerizing other peoples hair in my head, eg... I went in a kebab/fish'n'chip takeway with a two friends, 5 men are behind the counter mixed ethnicity (2 asias, 1 african and 2 english) all were receeding/receeded and going bald 5/5men? friend 1 who is 19 oftern takes a wide range of drugs MDMA, Ketamine, Cannabis, alcohol, lives on junk, energy drinks and late nights and has a full head of hair but VERY little stubble, liturally no facial hair... Friend 2 who is 20 works a 6:30am till 5:30pm stressfull job 5 days a week, eats junk, is over weight, smokes a lot cannabis and is very thin on top and has a noticable balding crown... A vast majority of suit wearing breifcase carrying/business are in stages of going bald, or seam to be... I am constantly seam to survay EVERYONE I see(not noticeably) in life, books, TV... Everyone... But i notice patterns in bald to non bald men, I don't know if anyone is deep into hair loss like this, or is this normal to pay more attention to hairloss/lines when you are lossing hair?
Sorry for the big blab...

but I have a uncontrolable OCD like addiction sumerizing other peoples hair in my head

I have the same problem. I'm perpetually bothered by my hair loss, and I find myself constantly scrutinizing others' hairlines.

At this point it's obvious that stress plays a huge role in hair loss. One way I've been trying to counter it is by reminding myself that every other effort I've made to stop hair loss (supplements, dietary changes, etc.) will be pointless if I don't curb stress.

Very good idea to stop stress...
I have been stress/depressed for the last couple of years till I stopped eating junk food, cut down on sugar and started cycling 5/6 times a week, it releases happy chemicals, I feel great/high after conquering a big hills and its just so peacefull riding in the country or woodlands where you see nobody, only animals and nature... Get home, walm to cold shower and i'm mentally refreshed and forget about hair for a while!...

I'm glad I know someone else has an obsession with hairlines haha

FATE? wrote:is this normal to pay more attention to hairloss/lines when you are lossing hair?

I agree, it's almost an obsession

Mi idea is that the lenght of scalp hair could be a factor in the first steps of common alopecia, Then it is possible the higher incidence of alopecia in policemen if the have short hair.
www.againstalopeciaandbaldness.com