Objective: To determine the common pattern of hair loss and the diagnosis for diffuse hair loss in females in Jordan.
Methodology: Four hundred female patients presenting to the Dermatology Clinics, Mutah University Medical center and Karak Teaching Hospital during 2008-2011 with diffuse hair loss were investigated.
Results: Telogen effluvium was the commonest pattern of hair loss (63%); most had chronic telogen effluvium. The most common triggering factor was nutritional factor. Other triggering factors including emotional stress, physiologic stress such as surgical trauma, childbirth (telogen gravidarum), high fever, chronic systemic illness, and hemorrhage were observed. The second common pattern of hair loss was androgenetic alopecia or female pattern hair loss (19%). Nearly one third of the cases had menstrual abnormalities, increased weight, and hirsutism. The third common pattern was due to traction alopecia due to using tight head bands and pulled back hair style. Other uncommon types of hair loss were alopecia areata (5%) and trichotillomania (2%).
Conclusion: Most common causes of hair loss in our population was Telogen effluvium followed by androgenetic alopecia, traction alopecia, alopecia areata and trichotillomania. Most common triggering factors were nutritional factors, emotional stress, physiologic stress such as surgical trauma, childbirth, high fever, chronic systemic illness and hemorrhage.
Key words: Hair loss, telogen effluvium, diffuse alopecia.
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