Determinants of Occipital Involvement in Males and Females with Pattern Hair Loss: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

<b>Background</b>: Pattern hair loss (PHL) is the most common form of hair loss affecting both men and women. The occipital region, located at the back of the scalp, has been considered resistant to hair loss in PHL. It is often used as a donor site for hair transplantation procedures. However, evidence suggests that the occipital region may also be affected by PHL, although to a lesser extent compared to the frontal and vertex regions. <b>Objective</b>: To assess the levels and determinants of occipital involvement in PHL, focusing on gender and disease severity. Such data would enhance the comprehensive understanding of PHL progression and inform development of improved treatment strategies. <b>Methods</b>: This retrospective study involved 1993 adults (1000 males, 993 females) following for PHL at a specialized hair clinic in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Any patient who had hair transplantation in the past and any male who had balding areas (Hamilton-Norwood scales 4 to 7) at the initial consultation was excluded. The primary outcome was occipital involvement, defined as >10% thin hairs in the trichometry assessments of the occipital region. Additional data included patient&#8217;s age, treatment status, disease severity, and other trichometry parameters. <b>Results</b>: The prevalence of occipital involvement was found to be 23.8% overall, significantly more frequent in females (35.6%) than males with early PHL (Hamilton-Norwood scales 2 and 3) (12.1%) (p < 0.001). The mean percentage of thin hair increased with disease severity in both males and females, though consistently higher in females. Independent factors associated with occipital involvement included females (OR = 3.62; 95% CI: 2.86 - 4.57; p < 0.001) and increasing disease severity (OR = 2.49; 95% CI = 1.98 - 3.12; p < 0.001). <b>Conclusion</b>: This study underscored the relevance of gender and disease severity in occipital involvement in PHL. Females had significantly higher rates of occipital involvement, suggesting that gender differences are critical in understanding PHL progression. Future research should aim to validate these findings, with an aim to refine therapeutic and surgical approaches to improve patient outcomes.