Keywords
How to Cite
Abstract
Background:
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a progressive disorder affecting both men and women that is usually treated using topical minoxidil. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is another relatively new treatment method as a regenerative intervention that could stimulate follicular activity and achieve better clinical outcomes in comparison to conventional medicine.
Objectives:
To compare the utilization of PRP with minoxidil in AGA, with other focus on patient satisfaction and clinical durability.
Methods:
There were six original studies, of which four randomized controlled trials have extractable quantitative information, to include in the meta-analysis (n = 347), and two more prospective studies to provide qualitative data on safety and tolerability as well as patient-perceived treatment benefit. Raw mean differences (MD) were then used to convey pooled outcomes so as to retain original clinical values using RevMan 5.4
Results:
PRP had statistically and clinical greater results compared to minoxidil in hair density and shaft thickness, where the pooled mean increase was +18.7 hairs/cm2 (95% CI: +12.1 to +25.3 hairs) and +6.3 µm in shaft thickness (95% CI: +3.4 to +9.1 µm), respectively. The two qualitative supporting studies were in agreement and reported greater levels of patient satisfaction, improved tolerability and, no severe adverse events as well as, mechanistic persistence of growth-factor signaling, which was localized.
Conclusion:
Although the two therapies have shown equality on the improvement of hair parameters, PRP rendered a more significant and a longer-lasting clinical response than minoxidil, excellent patient-reported response, and the safety profile is favorable. The criteria enable PRP to be considered a powerful treatment option in patients who want to use a biological treatment method and a more reliable way to manage the condition in the long run.