Scalp Hair Metabolomics in Severe Obesity

Singapore Health Services (SingHealth)

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Metabolomics; Hair Loss; Obesity & Overweight; Bariatric Surgery

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07368842

SGH_Hair01_2025

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this research study is to investigate how body weight and weight-loss surgery affect the natural chemicals found in scalp hair over time. We will also find out how common and severe hair thinning/hair loss and muscle loss are in the first 6 months after bariatric surgery.

Full description

We will recruit 30 subjects with severe obesity scheduled for bariatric surgery and 30 healthy-weight controls.

Following written informed consent, we will collect the study subject's medical information, conduct a dietary and quality-of-life survey, take body measurements, obtain scalp photos, perform a hair-pull test, collect a hair sample, and conduct muscle strength testing. Controls will be assessed only at baseline. Those with severe obesity will return at 4 ± 2 weeks, 12 ± 4 weeks, and 26 ± 4 weeks following bariatric surgery to repeat the study procedures.

Enrollment: 60 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 21 to 70 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

All subjects:

1. Age 21-70 years
2. Ability to provide informed consent

Healthy weight controls:

1. BMI of 18.5-24.9 kg/m2
2. No chronic disease
3. No long-term medications

Severe obesity:

1. BMI of > 32.5 kg/m2
2. Scheduled to undergo bariatric surgery

Exclusion criteria

1. Pregnancy
2. Any factors likely to limit adherence to study protocol
3. Any history of autoimmune or scarring alopecia (eg. alopecia areata, discoid lupus, lichen planopilaris)

Trial design

60 participants in 2 patient groups

Healthy control

Description:

Healthy control with normal weight

Severe obestiy

Description:

Severe obesity