Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenetic Alopecia in Women: A Single-Center Case Series Study in Qatar

• Main Authors: Mohamed Ahmed Syed, Samya Sami A.S. Abushaikha
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Health 2020-12-01
• Series: International Journal of Dermatology and Venerology
• Online Access: http://journals.lww.com/10.1097/JD9.0000000000000120

Abstract. Objective:. Androgenetic alopecia (AA) is a progressive hair loss disorder mediated by systemic androgens and genetic factors. A variety of AA treatments have been investigated. Currently, there is emerging evidence and growing interest in the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for AA. This study describes a single-center experience using PRP to treat AA in women. Methods:. A retrospective observational study design was employed. The study cohort comprised 20 women >18 years of age who were diagnosed with AA. PRP was prepared using a commercially available PRP kit. Each patient received six PRP treatment sessions at 4-week intervals. The severity of alopecia tool (SALT) scoring system was used to measure the severity of alopecia, and a paired t-test was used to calculate significance levels. Results:. The mean pre-intervention and post-intervention total SALT score was 27.5 ± 6.35 and 9.41 ± 3.71, respectively. The difference in the total mean SALT score was 18.33 ± 1.64 and the effect size was 3.52. The scalp area with the largest effect size was the vertex (Cohen d = 2.53). The effect size was similar across other scalp areas (Cohen d = 1.91–2.09). There were no serious adverse effects of the treatment; only mild transient adverse effects were reported. Conclusion:. The present study demonstrated the efficacy and safety of PRP injections in treating AA in women. However, these findings require confirmation in well-designed studies using standardized treatment protocols and evaluation methods.