title: Finasteride in the treatment of men with frontal male pattern hair loss.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Finasteride, a specific inhibitor of type II 5alpha-reductase, decreases serum and scalp dihydrotestosterone and has been shown to be effective in men with vertex male pattern hair loss.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the efficacy of finasteride 1 mg/day in men with frontal (anterior/mid) scalp hair thinning.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a 1-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled study followed by a 1-year open extension. Efficacy was assessed by hair counts (1 cm2 circular area), patient and investigator assessments, and global photographic review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant increase in hair count in the frontal scalp of finasteride-treated patients (P < .001), as well as significant improvements in patient, investigator, and global photographic assessments. Efficacy was maintained or improved throughout the second year of the study. Finasteride was generally well tolerated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In men with hair loss in the anterior/mid area of the scalp, finasteride 1 mg/day slowed hair loss and increased hair growth.
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leyden
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dunlap
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Winters
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lebwohl
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hecker
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kraus
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Baldwin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shalita
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Draelos
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Markou
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Thiboutot
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rapaport
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pariser
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Webster
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hordinsky
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rietschel
authors.forename: H I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Terranella
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Best
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Round
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Waldstreicher
mesh_terms: D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors; D000328:Adult; D000505:Alopecia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018120:Finasteride / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006197:Hair / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction
chemical_list: D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D018120:Finasteride