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Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy :... Jun 2024We aimed to determine the efficacy of the various available oral, topical, and procedural treatment options for hair loss in individuals with androgenic alopecia. Using...
We aimed to determine the efficacy of the various available oral, topical, and procedural treatment options for hair loss in individuals with androgenic alopecia. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, a systematic review of the National Library of Medicine was performed. Overall, 141 unique studies met our inclusion criteria. We demonstrate that many over the counter (e.g. topical minoxidil, supplements, low-level light treatment), prescription (e.g. oral minoxidil, finasteride, dutasteride), and procedural (e.g. platelet-rich plasma, fractionated lasers, hair transplantation) treatments successfully promote hair growth, highlighting the superiority of a multifaceted and individualized approach to management.
PubMed: 38852607
DOI: 10.1080/14764172.2024.2362126 -
European Urology Focus Apr 20245α-Reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) are widely prescribed for treatment of benign prostatic obstruction and androgenic alopecia. Several studies with controversial... (Review)
Review
5α-Reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) are widely prescribed for treatment of benign prostatic obstruction and androgenic alopecia. Several studies with controversial findings regarding 5-ARI exposure have been published over a number of years, and concerns were recently raised about the potential risks of depression and suicide associated with 5-ARIs. To investigate this association, we conducted a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis. Five studies involving 2213600 patients met our inclusion criteria. We found no statistically significant association between 5-ARI exposure and the risk of depression (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.85-2.00; p = 0.23) or suicide (aHR 1.30, 95% CI 0.65-2.61; p = 0.45). Subgroup analyses for finasteride and dutasteride revealed similar results. When restricting the analysis to patients without a prior diagnosis of depression, we observed similar findings (aHR for suicide 1.00, 95% CI 0.68-1.46; p = 0.98). PATIENT SUMMARY: We reviewed study data for more than two million patients taking drugs called 5α-reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs), which are widely prescribed for urinary problems caused by benign prostate enlargement and for male-pattern hair loss. In a pooled analysis we found no evidence of an association between 5-ARI use and the risk of depression or suicide.
PubMed: 38692949
DOI: 10.1016/j.euf.2024.04.009 -
Journal of the European Academy of... Feb 2024Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a scarring alopecia with fronto-temporo-parietal hairline recession. Although no proven treatment for FFA exists, dutasteride has... (Review)
Review
Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a scarring alopecia with fronto-temporo-parietal hairline recession. Although no proven treatment for FFA exists, dutasteride has been suggested as a potential treatment option. We aimed to evaluate the therapeutic response of oral dutasteride in FFA patients. The identification and selection of studies were conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis 2020 criteria. To assess the risk of bias for each study, we used the Cochrane's risk of bias in non-randomized studies of interventions (ROBINS-I) assessment tool. A random effects model meta-analysis was performed. Estimated proportion of stabilization for eligible studies was calculated to evaluate the effectiveness of dutasteride for treating FFA. Among patients who achieved stabilization, subgroup analysis was conducted on those showing improvement. Seven studies including 366 patients who received oral dutasteride were identified. The estimated proportion of patients who experienced stabilization of FFA with oral dutasteride was 0.628 (95% CI: 0.398-0.859). In subgroup analyses of patients who experienced improvement, the estimated proportion of improvement was 0.356 (95% CI: 0.163-0.549). In this systematic review and meta-analysis, oral dutasteride revealed to be a good treatment option for disease stabilization or improvement in patients with FFA.
PubMed: 38357767
DOI: 10.1111/jdv.19802 -
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment Dec 2023Mesotherapy is a technique by which lower doses of therapeutic agents and bioactive substances are administered by intradermal injections to the skin. Through... (Review)
Review
Mesotherapy is a technique by which lower doses of therapeutic agents and bioactive substances are administered by intradermal injections to the skin. Through intradermal injections, mesotherapy can increase the residence time of therapeutic agents in the affected area, thus allowing for the use of lower doses and longer intervals between sessions which may in turn improve the treatment outcome and patient compliance. This systematic review aims to summarize the current literature that evaluates the efficacy of this technique for the treatment of hair loss and provides an overview of the results observed. Of the 416 records identified, 27 articles met the inclusion criteria. To date, mesotherapy using 6 classes of agents and their combinations have been studied; this includes dutasteride, minoxidil, growth factors or autologous suspension, botulinum toxin A, stem cells, and mesh solutions/multivitamins. While several studies report statistically significant improvements in hair growth after treatment, there is currently a lack of standardized regimens. The emergence of adverse effects after mesotherapy has been reported. Further large-scale and controlled clinical trials are warranted to evaluate the utility of mesotherapy for hair loss disorders.
Topics: Humans; Mesotherapy; Alopecia; Minoxidil; Treatment Outcome; Injections, Intradermal
PubMed: 37558233
DOI: 10.1080/09546634.2023.2245084 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2022Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) affects almost half the population, and several treatments intending to regenerate a normal scalp hair phenotype are used. This is the first...
BACKGROUND
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) affects almost half the population, and several treatments intending to regenerate a normal scalp hair phenotype are used. This is the first study comparing treatment efficacy response and resistance using standardized continuous outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically compare the relative efficacy of treatments used for terminal hair (TH) regrowth in women and men with AGA.
METHODS
A systematic literature review was conducted (from inception to August 11, 2021) to identify randomized, Placebo-controlled trials with ≥ 20 patients and reporting changes in TH density after 24 weeks. Efficacy was analyzed by sex at 12 and 24 weeks using Bayesian network meta-analysis (B-NMA) and compared to frequentist and continuous outcomes profiles.
RESULTS
The search identified 2,314 unique articles. Ninety-eight were included for full-text review, and 17 articles met the inclusion criteria for data extraction and analyses. Eligible treatments included ALRV5XR, Dutasteride 0.5 mg/day, Finasteride 1 mg/day, low-level laser comb treatment (LLLT), Minoxidil 2% and 5%, Nutrafol, and Viviscal. At 24 weeks, the B-NMA regrowth efficacy in TH/cm and significance () in women were ALRV5XR: 30.09, LLLT: 16.62, Minoxidil 2%: 12.13, Minoxidil 5%: 10.82, and Nutrafol: 7.32, and in men; ALRV5XR: 21.03, LLLT: 18.75, Dutasteride: 18.37, Viviscal: 13.23, Minoxidil 5%: 13.13, Finasteride: 12.38, and Minoxidil 2%: 10.54. Two distinct TH regrowth response profiles were found; Continuous: ALRV5XR regrowth rates were linear in men and accelerated in women; Resistant: after 12 weeks, LLLT, Nutrafol, and Viviscal regrowth rates attenuated while Dutasteride and Finasteride plateaued; Minoxidil 2% and 5% lost some regrowth. There were no statistical differences for the same treatment between women and men. B-NMA provided more accurate, statistically relevant, and conservative results than the frequentist-NMA.
CONCLUSION
Some TH regrowth can be expected from most AGA treatments with less variability in women than men. Responses to drug treatments were rapid, showing strong early efficacy followed by the greatest resistance effects from flatlining to loss of regrowth after 12-16 weeks. Finasteride, Minoxidil 2% and Viviscal in men were not statistically different from Placebo. LLLT appeared more efficacious than pharmaceuticals. The natural product formulation ALRV5XR showed better efficacy in all tested parameters without signs of treatment resistance (see Graphical abstract).
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.asp?ID=CRD42021268040, identifier CRD42021268040.
PubMed: 36755885
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.998623 -
Annals of the Academy of Medicine,... Dec 2022The oral antiviral agents nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (NMV/r) and molnupiravir are used to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19 infection in outpatients. However, the use of NMV/r...
INTRODUCTION
The oral antiviral agents nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (NMV/r) and molnupiravir are used to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19 infection in outpatients. However, the use of NMV/r is complicated by significant drug-drug interactions (DDIs) with frequently prescribed medications. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the possible risk of DDIs, given the emergence of COVID-19 variants and the widespread use of oral COVID-19 treatments. We reviewed available data on DDIs between NMV/r, molnupiravir and common dermatological medications; summarised the potential side effects; and suggest strategies for safe COVID-19 treatment.
METHOD
A systematic review using PubMed was conducted on data published from inception to 18 July 2022 to find clinical outcomes of DDIs between NMV/r, molnupiravir and dermatological medications. We also searched the Lexicomp, Micromedex, Liverpool COVID-19 Drug Interactions database and the National Institutes of Health COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines for interactions between NMV/r and molnupiravir, and commonly used dermatological medications.
RESULTS
NMV/r containing the cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 3A4 inhibitor ritonavir has DDIs with other medications similarly dependent on CYP3A4 metabolism. Dermatological medications that have DDIs with NMV/r include rifampicin, clofazimine, clarithromycin, erythromycin, clindamycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, fluconazole, bilastine, rupatadine, dutasteride, ciclosporin, cyclophosphamide, tofacitinib, upadacitinib, colchicine and systemic glucocorticoids. With no potential DDI identified yet in in vitro studies, molnupiravir may be an alternative COVID-19 therapy in patients taking medications that have complicated interactions with NMV/r, which cannot be stopped or dose adjusted.
CONCLUSION
NMV/r has significant DDIs with many common dermatological medications, which may require temporary discontinuation, dosage adjustment or substitution with other anti-COVID-19 agents such as molnupiravir.
Topics: Humans; Ritonavir; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Antiviral Agents; Drug Interactions
PubMed: 36592146
DOI: 10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.2022289 -
Translational Andrology and Urology Mar 2022Although the efficacy and safety of monotherapy in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have been established clinically, the efficacy and safety of...
BACKGROUND
Although the efficacy and safety of monotherapy in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have been established clinically, the efficacy and safety of dutasteride and finasteride have not been compared. The aim was to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of the two drugs in the treatment of BPH to provide medical evidence for clinical treatment.
METHODS
A search of relevant articles was conducted using the electronic databases PubMed, Embase, Medline, Cochrane Library, China Academic Journals Full-text Database (CJFD), Chinese Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP) and Wanfang Database. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy of finasteride (control group) with that of dutasteride (experimental group) in the treatment of BPH with respect to the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), the maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), prostate volume (PV), quality of life (QOL), serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) after medication were strictly evaluated and considered for inclusion. Rev Man 5.4 software was used for the meta-analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 8 RCTs were included, with a total of 2,116, patients. The meta-analysis showed that compared with finasteride, dutasteride can effectively improve the Qmax of patients with BPH [mean difference (MD) =0.32; 95% confidence interval (CI): (0.01, 0.63); P=0.04]. There was no significant difference in reducing IPSS [MD =0.13; 95% CI: (-0.55, 0.82); P=0.70], improving PV [MD =-1.25; 95% CI: (-3.30, 0.79); P=0.23], reducing QOL [MD =-0.44; 95% CI: (-0.93, 0.05); P=0.08] and serum PSA level [MD =-0.04; 95% CI: (-0.15, 0.07); P=0.50], and the occurrence of ADRs [relative risk (RR) =-0.01; 95% CI: (-0.05, 0.04); P=0.72], there was no significant difference.
DISCUSSION
Dutasteride is better than finasteride in improving the Qmax of patients with BPH. There was no statistically significant difference in symptoms, PV, PSA, QOL, or adverse reactions. Dutasteride is an effective and safe treatment for BPH. Due to the limitations of the methodological quality and sample size of the included studies, this conclusion needs to be verified by stratified RCTS with high volumes and long follow-up times.
PubMed: 35402192
DOI: 10.21037/tau-22-58 -
Asian Journal of Urology Jan 2022Bleeding is one of the most common complications of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Several previous studies reported that administering dutasteride...
The role of preoperative dutasteride in reducing bleeding during transurethral resection of the prostate: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
OBJECTIVE
Bleeding is one of the most common complications of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Several previous studies reported that administering dutasteride before surgery could reduce perioperative bleeding. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of preoperative dutasteride treatment in benign prostatic hyperplasia patients undergoing TURP by performing a meta-analysis of relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
METHODS
A comprehensive literature search was performed through the electronic databases including Medline, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrial.gov in October 2020. RCTs evaluating the role of dutasteride for TURP were screened using the eligibility criteria and the quality of RCTs was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. The heterogeneity was assessed using statistic. The measured outcomes were hemoglobin (Hb) levels, perioperative blood loss, blood transfusion, microvessel density (MVD), and operation time. Data were pooled as mean difference (MD) and odds ratio (OR).
RESULTS
A total of 11 RCTs consisting of 627 samples from the treatment group and 615 samples from the placebo group were analyzed. Patients that received dutasteride had less reduction in Hb levels (MD -1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.39 to -0.81, <0.00001). Dutasteride also significantly reduced the operation time (MD -1.79, 95% CI -2.97 to -0.61, =0.003) and transfusion rate after surgery (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.77, =0.009) compared to the control group. However, the MVD (MD -3.60, 95% CI -8.04 to 0.84, =0.11) and perioperative blood loss in dutasteride administration for less than 4 weeks (MD 46.90, 95% CI -144.60 to 238.41, =0.63) and more than 4 weeks (MD -190.13, 95% CI -378.05 to -2.21, =0.05) differences were insignificant.
CONCLUSION
Preoperative administration of dutasteride is able to reduce bleeding during TURP, as indicated by less reduction in Hb level, lower transfusion rate, and less operation time.
PubMed: 35198393
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajur.2021.05.011 -
Central European Journal of Urology 2021The clinical effect of pharmacotherapy on prostate morphometric parameters is largely unknown. The sole exception is 5α-reductase inhibitors (5-ARI) that reduce...
The effect of pharmacotherapy on prostate volume, prostate perfusion and prostate-specific antigen (prostate morphometric parameters) in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms and benign prostatic obstruction. A systematic review and meta-analysis.
INTRODUCTION
The clinical effect of pharmacotherapy on prostate morphometric parameters is largely unknown. The sole exception is 5α-reductase inhibitors (5-ARI) that reduce prostate volume and prostate-specific antigen (PSA). This review assesses the effect of pharmacotherapy on prostate parameters effect on prostate parameters, namely total prostate volume (TPV), transitional zone volume (TZV), PSA and prostate perfusion.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting on morphometric parameters' changes after pharmacotherapy, as primary or secondary outcomes. The study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. RCTs' quality was assessed by the Cochrane tool and the criteria of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The effect magnitude was expressed as standard mean difference (SMD). The study protocol was published on PROSPERO (CRD42020170172).
RESULTS
Sixty-seven RCTs were included in the review and 18 in the meta-analysis. The changes after alpha-blockers are comparable to placebo. Long-term studies reporting significant changes from baseline, result from physiologic growth. Finasteride and dutasteride demonstrated large effect sizes in TPV reduction ([SMD]: -1.15 (95% CI: -1.26 to -1.04, p <0.001, and [SMD]:-0.66 (95% CI: -0.83 to -0.49, p <0.001, respectively), and similar PSA reductions. Dutasteride's effect appears earlier (1 vs 3 month), the changes reach a maximum at month 12 and are sustained thereafter. Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors have no effect on morphometric parameters. Phytotherapy's effect on TPV is non-significant [SMD]: 0.12 (95% CI: -0.03 to 0.27, p = 0.13). Atorvastatin reduces TPV as compared to placebo (-11.7% vs +2.5%, p <0.01). Co-administration of testosterone with dutasteride spares the prostate from the androgenic stimulation as both TPV and PSA are reduced significantly.
CONCLUSIONS
The 5-ARIs show large effect size in reducing TPV and PSA. Tamsulosin improves perfusion but no other effect is evident. PDE-5 inhibitors and phytotherapy do not affect morphometric parameters. Atorvastatin reduces TPV and PSA as opposed to testosterone supplementation.
PubMed: 34729231
DOI: 10.5173/ceju.2021.132.R1 -
Skin Appendage Disorders Nov 2020Androgenetic alopecia is the most common cause of hair loss [. 2011 Jan;164(1):5-15]. Finasteride and minoxidil are the only approved treatments [. 2008 Oct;59(4):547-8... (Review)
Review
Androgenetic alopecia is the most common cause of hair loss [. 2011 Jan;164(1):5-15]. Finasteride and minoxidil are the only approved treatments [. 2008 Oct;59(4):547-8 and . 2018 Jan;32(1):11-22]. Dutasteride is more potent than finasteride due to its ability to inhibit both 5-α-reductase type I and II [. 2017 Sep;9(1):75-9] though its adverse effects and long half-life contribute to the reluctance on its oral use. Mesotherapy could be a feasible alternative to avoid systemic exposure and side effects [. 2009 Feb;20(1):137-45]. We aim to perform a systematic review to analyze scientific literature with the purpose of comparing efficacy and adverse effects of both administration routes. Five clinical trials using oral route and 3 intralesional in comparison with placebo met criteria for inclusion. Regarding intralesional dutasteride, only one study [. 2001 Mar;19(2):149-54] reported the mean change in hair count. Although both interventions favor over placebo, there are not enough data to reliably compare outcomes obtained between both routes. Mean increase in hair count observed with oral dutasteride was higher (MD: 15.92 hairs [95% CI: 9.87-21.96]; = <0.00001; = 90%) compared to intralesional dutasteride in Abdallah's study (MD: 7.90 hairs [95% CI: 7.14-8.66]; = <0.00001). Future studies are required to assess the therapeutic efficacy of both treatment routes, including head-to-head treatments before well-supported conclusions can be established.
PubMed: 33313048
DOI: 10.1159/000510697