Finasteride improves male
pattern hair loss in a randomized study in identical twins.
Eur J Dermatol. 2002 Jan-Feb
Stough DB, Rao NA, Kaufman KD, Mitchell C.
Burke Research, Hot Springs, Arkansas 71913, USA.
OBJECTIVES: This study compared the efficacy of finasteride with placebo in the
treatment of male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) in nine pairs of
male identical twins.
METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled, single-center study, one twin from each identical twin pair
received finasteride 1 mg/day for one year while the other received placebo.
Hair growth was evaluated from standardized clinical photographs, hair counts
and patient self-assessment questionnaires. Serum dihydrotestosterone and
testosterone levels were analyzed and adverse events recorded.
RESULTS: Finasteride significantly improved hair growth at one year compared to placebo
(p < 0.05) based on analysis of photographs of the vertex and superior-frontal
scalp.
These results were consistent with the hair count change measured in the finasteride group, which was superior (p < 0.05) to the change measured in the
placebo group.
Patient self-assessment demonstrated that treatment with finasteride, in comparison to placebo, led to improvements in scalp hair growth
and patients' satisfaction with appearance of hair.
No drug-related adverse
events were reported during the study.
CONCLUSION: Through the use of identical
twins, this study provides further evidence that finasteride significantly
reduces hair loss progression and restores hair growth in men with male pattern
hair loss.
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