Association of Epidemiological and Biochemical Factors with Premature Graying of Hair: A Case-Control Study

Sharma N, Dogra D

Published in International Journal of Trichology

Methodology

Hospital-based case-control study comparing epidemiological factors and serum biochemistry (calcium, ferritin, vitamin B12, vitamin D, lipids) between people with premature greying and matched controls.

Key Findings

In a case-control study of 240 participants, individuals with premature greying of hair had significantly lower serum calcium, ferritin, vitamin B12 and HDL-cholesterol than controls; a positive family history was the strongest epidemiological association.

Conclusions

Case-control study: cases showed significantly lower serum calcium, ferritin, vitamin B12 and HDL-cholesterol.

Limitations

Observational case-control design cannot establish causation or show that repletion reverses greying; hospital-based sampling limits generalisability; single-timepoint biochemistry; no dietary intake assessment.