Phulen Sarma
Although Premature Graying of Hair (PGH) is becoming an increasingly common entity, its risk factors, co-morbid conditions, pharmacotherapy, and reversibility is not properly addressed in the literature. Therefore this systematic review was conducted. We searched 6 databases (PubMed, EMBASE, OVID, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar) with appropriate keywords for relevant literature. Database files were extracted using EndNote and title and abstracts were screened using Rayyan, QCRI. Full texts of the relevant articles were further screened as per predefined inclusion-exclusion criteria. Review manager 5.3 was used for meta-analysis. PROSPERO registration id for the study is CRD42019122159. A total of 92 studies were included after the full-text screen. In a meta-analysis, among various risk factors, smoking, vitamin deficiency (B12, folic acid, and B7), mineral deficiency (low serum calcium and serum ferritin) were found to be associated with PGH (p<0.05). Other important risk factors were family history of PGH, obesity, high BP, lack of exercise, drugs, genetic syndromes, dyslipidemia, thyroid disorders, hyperuricemia, and alteration in liver function. PGH can represent an important marker of CAD, more so in the case of the smoker. Among different pharmacotherapeutic options, important agents are calcium pantothenate, PABA, calcium pantothenate+PABA combination. Anu- Thailand is the only herbal agent evaluated in clinical research settings. Finally, treating the accompanying pathologies may lead to the reversal of the disease. So, to summarize, a detailed clinical history and examination with special emphasis on signs and symptoms of vitamin and mineral deficiency, risk factors, and comorbid conditions is the key factor in the treatment of PGH. Premature graying of hair (PGH) being a very common entity for which pharmacotherapy and reversibility are not properly addressed. Therefore, this systematic review was conducted to address these issues. For this relevant study were selected from various databases including PubMed, EMBASE, OVID, Web of science, Scopus, and Google Scholar till January 20, 2019. Studies which reported risk factors, co