International Journal of Advances In Case Reports

A CLINICOEPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF PREMATURE CANITIES OF DEGREE COLLEGE STUDENTS IN THE RURAL AREA

Bhramaramba TS, Belagola D Sathyanarayana, Mukunda Ranga Swaroop, Yogesh Devaraj*, Raghavendra JC, Monica Dukkipati, Priyanka Kumari

yogeshdevaraj86@gmail.com

Premature canities, premature graying, Hard water, anemia.

Premature graying of hair, also called ‘premature canities’, refers to diffuse loss of hair colour, especially of scalp hair, at an age earlier than that generally accepted as physiological i.e, before the age of 20 years in whites, 25 years in Asians and 30 years in Africans. The beard and moustache areas commonly become gray before scalp or body hair. To study the clinico-epidemiological aspects of premature canities. To correlate serum hemoglobin levels in patients with premature canities. This was a cross-sectional observational study wherein 1400 degree college students between the age group of 18-30 years in the field practice area of B.G Nagara, Mandya district, Karnataka between November 2011 and May 2013 were screened for premature graying of hair and a clinicoepidemiological study was conducted in those found to have premature graying. Haemoglobin levels were determined and the data was analysed. Out of 1400 students screened, 532 (38%) were males and 868 (62%) were females, among which 371 (26%) had premature graying of hair. Among 371 students 173 (47%) were males and 198 (53%) were females. The commonest age of presentation was 18-21 years. Positive family history was found in 50.4%. Exacerbating factors included change/usage of hard water (67%) and emotional stress (22%). History of smoking was elicited in 4% of patients. Commonest site of distribution of gray hairs was vertex followed by parietal, occipital and frontal areas of scalp. Anemia was found in 11% of patients. In our study, the prevalence of premature canities was 26%. Genetic predisposition was present in half the number of patients. Change of water/hard water usage was the most common aggravating factor, followed by psychosocial stress and smoking. Anemia was found in 11% of patients with premature canities.