#7 Clinical Results Paper on the Use of Finasteride for Male Pattern Baldness Treatment
Jerry Shapiro and Keith D. Kaufman (2003) Use of Finasteride in the Treatment of Men With Androgenetic Alopecia (Male Pattern Hair Loss) J. Invest. Dermatol. Vol.8 No.1, 20-23.
This study compared the clinical outcomes of finasteride 1mg/day over 1 and 5 years in patients with male pattern hair loss (MPHL) to a placebo group. The study involved a substantial number of participants and evaluated hair loss improvement using photographic analysis. This study was a collaborative effort between the Department of Dermatology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, and Merck Research Laboratories in New Jersey, USA (the developer of finasteride).
Key Highlights:
12-month vs 60-month treatment comparison: The proportion of patients showing hair loss improvement was slightly lower at 60 months compared to 12 months of treatment.
Approximately 40% of patients experienced no improvement or worsening of hair loss after 60 months, while 50% showed improvement.
Self-reported satisfaction: Self-reported satisfaction was higher in patients taking finasteride for 60 months compared to 12 months.
