title: Why care about linear hair growth rates (LHGR)? a study using in vivo imaging and computer assisted image analysis after manual processing (CAIAMP) in unaffected male controls and men with male pattern hair loss (MPHL).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The words "hair growth" frequently encompass many aspects other than just growth.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Report on a validation method for precise non-invasive measurement of thickness together with linear hair growth rates of individual hair fibres. To verify the possible correlation between thickness and linear growth rate of scalp hair in male pattern hair loss as compared with healthy male controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  To document the process of validation of hair growth measurement from in vivo image capturing and manual processing, followed by computer assisted image analysis. We analysed 179 paired images obtained with the contrast-enhanced-phototrichogram method with exogen collection (CE-PTG-EC) in 13 healthy male controls and in 87 men with male pattern hair loss (MPHL).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a global positive correlation between thickness and growth rate (ANOVA; p<0.0001) and a statistically significantly (ANOVA; p<0.0005) slower growth rate in MPHL as compared with equally thick hairs from controls. Finally, the growth rate recorded in the more severe patterns was significantly (ANOVA; P ≤ 0.001) reduced compared with equally thick hair from less severely affected MPHL or controls subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reduced growth rate, together with thinning and shortening of the anagen phase duration in MPHL might contribute together to the global impression of decreased hair volume on the top of the head. Amongst other structural and functional parameters characterizing hair follicle regression, linear hair growth rate warrants further investigation, as it may be relevant in terms of self-perception of hair coverage, quantitative diagnosis and prognostic factor of the therapeutic response.
authors.affiliation: Skinterface and Brussel's Hair Clinic 9 rue du Sondart B 7500 Tournai Belgium.
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Van Neste
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000505:Alopecia / Q000473:pathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003287:Contrast Media; D006197:Hair / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000473:pathology*; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D010781:Photography / Q000379:methods*; D012535:Scalp; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: androgenetic alopecia; clinical trial; imaging; male pattern hair loss; phototrichogram; scalp hair