A Study of Association of Premature Graying of Hair and Osteopenia in North Indian Population

CONTEXT: Hair graying is one of the signs of human aging and is caused by a progressive loss of pigmentation from growing hair shafts. Studies have shown a correlation of early hair graying with osteopenia, indicating that premature graying could serve as an early marker of osteopenia. AIM: To compare the degree of osteopenia in individuals with premature graying of hair (PGH) compared to ordinary individuals. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: We conducted an observational, case–control study among 132 healthy individuals between 18 and 30 years of age. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Detailed history and examination of PGH was taken. Bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed using Furuno CM-200 ultrasound bone densitometer. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: SPSS 21 software was used, and the data were summarized in the form of mean ± standard deviation for quantitative values and percentages for qualitative values. Chi–square test, Student's t-test, analysis of variance, and other appropriate tests were applied for comparison, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: PGH was present in 82 (62.1%) cases, whereas osteopenia was present in 56 (42.4%) cases. The mean age of onset of graying of hair among the cases was 20.62 ± 3.74 years. A higher age group of 25–30 years (P = 0.016) and family history of PGH (P < 0.001) were significant risk factors for PGH. The mean BMD of the case group was 0.76 ± 1.00 and the control group was 0.68 ± 1.11, but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.649). CONCLUSION: The study concluded that there is no significant association between osteopenia and PGH.