title: Guidelines for management of androgenetic alopecia based on BASP classification--the Asian Consensus Committee guideline.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), or pattern hair loss, is a common disorder in both Asian men and women. There are several guidelines for the treatment of AGA which are suitable for Caucasian patients; however, each of these has some limitations. Furthermore, in comparison with Caucasian patients, Asian patients with AGA have different types of hair loss and family histories which may alter the treatment response. There is currently no published AGA guideline for Asian patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The Asian Consensus Committee for Androgenetic Alopecia aimed to develop an algorithmic guideline, based on the basic and specific (BASP) classification, for the treatment of AGA especially in Asian patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The committee collaborated extensively on reviewing available literature on AGA treatment in order to formulate an algorithmic guideline on AGA management.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Previously published guidelines based on pre-existing classifications of AGA cannot easily classify the patterns of AGA that are more frequently seen in Asians. The BASP classification not only facilitates the development of a unified and simplified algorithm, but also overcomes the disadvantages of previously reported classification systems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The proposed treatment guideline for AGA based on the BASP classification may be useful for dermatologists in their approach to treating Asian patients with AGA in clinical practice. Ideally, clinicians should try to utilize this guideline consistently in their practice to monitor treatment response with the goal of enhancing successful outcomes. This will help boost patients' confidence and self-esteem, thus improving patient' compliance with the prescribed treatments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Institute of Hair and Cosmetic Medicine, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea. leewonsoo@yonsei.ac.kr
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Cheong
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Gabriel
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Hau
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Mallari
authors.forename: R Y
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zheng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D000505:Alopecia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged