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Finasteride in the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia. Finasteride Male Pattern Hair Loss Study Group.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Kaufman, KD; Olsen, EA; Whiting, D; Savin, R; DeVillez, R; Bergfeld, W; Price, VH; Van Neste, D; Roberts, JL; Hordinsky, M; Shapiro, J ...
Published in: J Am Acad Dermatol
October 1998

BACKGROUND: Androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss) is caused by androgen-dependent miniaturization of scalp hair follicles, with scalp dihydrotestosterone (DHT) implicated as a contributing cause. Finasteride, an inhibitor of type II 5alpha-reductase, decreases serum and scalp DHT by inhibiting conversion of testosterone to DHT. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine whether finasteride treatment leads to clinical improvement in men with male pattern hair loss. METHODS: In two 1-year trials, 1553 men (18 to 41 years of age) with male pattern hair loss received oral finasteride 1 mg/d or placebo, and 1215 men continued in blinded extension studies for a second year. Efficacy was evaluated by scalp hair counts, patient and investigator assessments, and review of photographs by an expert panel. RESULTS: Finasteride treatment improved scalp hair by all evaluation techniques at 1 and 2 years (P < .001 vs placebo, all comparisons). Clinically significant increases in hair count (baseline = 876 hairs), measured in a 1-inch diameter circular area (5.1 cm2) of balding vertex scalp, were observed with finasteride treatment (107 and 138 hairs vs placebo at 1 and 2 years, respectively; P < .001). Treatment with placebo resulted in progressive hair loss. Patients' self-assessment demonstrated that finasteride treatment slowed hair loss, increased hair growth, and improved appearance of hair. These improvements were corroborated by investigator assessments and assessments of photographs. Adverse effects were minimal. CONCLUSION: In men with male pattern hair loss, finasteride 1 mg/d slowed the progression of hair loss and increased hair growth in clinical trials over 2 years.

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Published In

J Am Acad Dermatol

DOI

ISSN

0190-9622

Publication Date

October 1998

Volume

39

Issue

4 Pt 1

Start / End Page

578 / 589

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Hair
  • Finasteride
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Dihydrotestosterone
  • Dermatology & Venereal Diseases
 

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Kaufman, K. D., Olsen, E. A., Whiting, D., Savin, R., DeVillez, R., Bergfeld, W., … Gormley, G. J. (1998). Finasteride in the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia. Finasteride Male Pattern Hair Loss Study Group. J Am Acad Dermatol, 39(4 Pt 1), 578–589. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0190-9622(98)70007-6
Kaufman, K. D., E. A. Olsen, D. Whiting, R. Savin, R. DeVillez, W. Bergfeld, V. H. Price, et al. “Finasteride in the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia. Finasteride Male Pattern Hair Loss Study Group.J Am Acad Dermatol 39, no. 4 Pt 1 (October 1998): 578–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0190-9622(98)70007-6.
Kaufman KD, Olsen EA, Whiting D, Savin R, DeVillez R, Bergfeld W, et al. Finasteride in the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia. Finasteride Male Pattern Hair Loss Study Group. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1998 Oct;39(4 Pt 1):578–89.
Kaufman, K. D., et al. “Finasteride in the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia. Finasteride Male Pattern Hair Loss Study Group.J Am Acad Dermatol, vol. 39, no. 4 Pt 1, Oct. 1998, pp. 578–89. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/s0190-9622(98)70007-6.
Kaufman KD, Olsen EA, Whiting D, Savin R, DeVillez R, Bergfeld W, Price VH, Van Neste D, Roberts JL, Hordinsky M, Shapiro J, Binkowitz B, Gormley GJ. Finasteride in the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia. Finasteride Male Pattern Hair Loss Study Group. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1998 Oct;39(4 Pt 1):578–589.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Am Acad Dermatol

DOI

ISSN

0190-9622

Publication Date

October 1998

Volume

39

Issue

4 Pt 1

Start / End Page

578 / 589

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Hair
  • Finasteride
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Dihydrotestosterone
  • Dermatology & Venereal Diseases