Male pattern baldness and incidence of prostate cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

• Published in: Medicine (Baltimore) Vol. 97; no. 28; p. e11379
• Main Authors: He, Huadong, Xie, Bo, Xie, Liping
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wolters Kluwer Health 01.07.2018
• Subjects: Alopecia - complications; Humans; Incidence; Male; Prostatic Neoplasms - complications; Prostatic Neoplasms - epidemiology; Risk Factors; Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
• ISSN: 0025-7974; 1536-5964
• DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000011379

The relationship between male pattern baldness and incidence of prostate cancer remains inconclusive. Hence, we performed the present meta-analysis based on all eligible cohort and case-control studies. A comprehensive literature search was performed in October 2017 based on PubMed and Web of Science databases. Pooled relative risk (RR) and its 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was calculated with a DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model. A total of 15 studies were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, no statistically significant association between baldness (any pattern) and prostate cancer risk was identified (RR: 1.03, 95% CI 0.96-1.11). There was obvious heterogeneity across included studies (P < .078 for heterogeneity, I = 36.4%). When subgroup analysis by types of baldness, a statistically significant association was observed for vertex baldness (RR 1.24, 95% CI 1.05-1.46) but not for other types of baldness. Individuals with vertex baldness may have an increased risk of prostate cancer. Given the obvious heterogeneity and null results in overall analysis and most of subgroup analyses, further large well-designed prospective cohort studies are warranted to confirm our preliminary findings.