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From the Journals

Smoking, Depression May Double Early Graying Odds

Premature graying affects 55.9% of young adults before age 30.

Conexiant

Over half of patients may experience graying before the age of 30, with multiple risk factors identified: smokers, patients with immune-related comorbidities, and those with anxiety, depression, and a family history of it. 

Investigators analyzed data from 1,193 Saudi Arabian residents between July 2023 and February 2024. Males comprised 53.0% of participants, and 96.9% were Saudi nationals, according to the study published in Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.

Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that the risk of premature graying of hair (PGH) increased significantly as follows:

  • Age: Participants aged 30 to 34 years had a 1.99-fold increased risk, those aged 35 to 39 years had a 1.73-fold increase, and those aged 40 to 44 years had a 1.54-fold increase.
  • Smoking nearly doubled the risk of PGH (odds ratio [OR] = 1.92).
  • Comorbidities, particularly immune-related conditions like alopecia, tripled the risk (OR = 3.23).
  • Anxiety and depression increased risk by 2.24 and 2.56 times, respectively.
  • Family history before 30 years raised the risk by 3.74 times.

Among participants:

  • 52.5% reported 1 to 10 gray hairs initially.
  • 25.8% reported comorbidities, often immune-related.
  • 46.9% reported anxiety, whereas 24.8% reported depression.
  • 53.8% experienced concurrent hair loss, with immune-related hair loss associated with a higher PGH risk (OR = 3.94).
  • 53.5% reported vitamin or mineral deficiencies, and 62.2% had a family history of PGH.
  • Scalp type showed a distinction: a dry scalp was linked to an elevated PGH risk, while an oily scalp appeared to reduce it.

The study utilized an online survey distributed via social media platforms. Statistical analysis employed chi-squared tests and binary logistic regression, using SPSS software.

Limitations included the inability to establish causality, potential selection bias because of online distribution, and reliance on self-reported medical diagnoses, which could lead to inaccuracies.

The research team received institutional review board approval from King Saud University. The work received no specific funding.

The authors declared having no competing interests.