A Clinical Study of the Effects of Finasteride on Androgenetic Alopecia.
10.5021/ad.2000.12.4.264
- Author:
Seung Il KIM
;
Jae Hak YOO
;
Kea Jeung KIM
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Androgenetic alopecia;
Finasteride
- MeSH:
Alopecia*;
Finasteride*;
Hair;
Humans;
Korea;
Male;
Research Personnel;
Self-Assessment;
Testosterone
- From:Annals of Dermatology
2000;12(4):264-270
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: The 5α-reductase inhibitor finasteride blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone(DHT), the androgen responsible for androgen- etic alopecia in genetically predisposed men. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of finaster- ide treatment according to the type of androgenetic alopecia in Korea. METHODS: 196 patients with finasteride(1.25mg/day) were registered in this study and 68 patients were followed over 8 months. Efficacy was evaluated by globa1 photographs, investigator assessment of clinical change,and patients' self assessment via self administered hair growth questionnaire. RESULTS: Patients' self-assessment demonstrated that finasteride treatment slowed hair loss, increased hair growth, and improved appearance of hair. These improvements were corroborated by objective assessments after 4 months of treatment. Adverse effects such as sexual dysfunction were minimal. CONCLUSION: Oral finasteride 1.25mg/day slowed the progression of hair loss and increased hair growth in clinical tria1s of men with androgenetic alopecia over 8 months. With its generally good tolerability profile, finasteride is a new approach to the management of this condition, for which treatment options are few.
