Abdul Qayum Khan, Bushra Mehmood.
Platelet Rich Plasma in Androgenic Alopecia: Prospective Analysis of 40 Male patients with Failed Medical Treatment for Hair Restoration.
Ophthalmol Update Jan ;16(1):519-22.

Background: Androgenic alopecia (AA) is highly prevalent and is a source of significant psychosocial problems in young to middle age males. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a promising evolving therapy. However the data regarding its efficacy is scarce. Objective: Our aim was to determine the efficacy of PRP therapy in male patients with AA over the course of six months. Method: Prospective non-randomized study of 6-month duration was done on male patients of age between 18-50 years, having AA of Hamilton-Norwood grade II to V. These patients either had failed medical treatment or had suboptimal results. They had stopped medical treatment more than 6 months ago. Hair pull test was used at baseline and every 4 weekly interval for 12 weeks. It was used as the primary assessment method for hair fall. Three treatment sessions of PRP were done, one month apart. Patients were assessed in terms of increased hair thickness on gross examination, increased hair density on scalp photography, improvement in hair pull test and patient satisfaction at the end of a three-month period from last session. Results: 40 male patients with mean age: 34.5 � 3.8 years; 35% grade II, 50% grade III and 15% were grade IV according to Hamilton-Norwood classification. The baseline pull test showed 15.3 � 2.4 hairs while baseline hair count was 72.4 � 10.5 hairs/cm2 . The end of treatment pull test showed 4.6 � 1.4 hairs and hair count was 151.8 � 15.5 hairs/cm2 . 47.5% of patients reported high satisfaction rates while 37.5% reported satisfaction with the results, making a collective 85% patients reported satisfaction with the results. Conclusion: PRP therapy is a safe and effective treatment modality for hair augmentation and hair restoration in patients with androgenic alopecia. The minimal invasiveness further improve its scope as a treatment modality for hair restoration. Patients who fail medical therapy for hair restoration are ideal candidates for PRP therapy.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com