Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of female patients with chronic telogen effluvium: A randomised, controlled, double-blind, pilot clinical trial

Background: Chronic telogen effluvium is characterised by diffuse loss of hair of the scalp. One of the emerging lines of treatment is platelet-rich plasma. However, not much of published data exist. Aims: A pilot study was conducted on chronic telogen effluvium patients to evaluate the efficacy and safety of platelet-rich plasma, and to compare two different methods of platelet-rich plasma preparation. Methods: The study included 30 female patients with chronic telogen effluvium. Patients were randomised into three groups: Group (1): Special platelet-rich plasma tubes centrifuged at 3500 rpm; Group (2): Ordinary laboratory tubes centrifuged at 1000 rpm; Group (3): Normal saline as a placebo. Patients' evaluation was done with visual analog scale, hair pull test, trichoscopy, photos, satisfaction questionnaire, and safety. All patients received four monthly sessions. Patients were evaluated one month and three months after the last session. Results: The hair pull test,visual analogue scale, and patient satisfaction results showed a statistically significant difference between group 1 vs. group 3 and group 2 vs.group 3 at one and three months after the sessions, while there was no difference between group1 vs. group 2. Trichoscopy results (baseline, one and three months after treatment) showed a significant increase in hair density and thickness in the frontal area, temporal area, and the vertex in groups 1 and 2 only. There was no statistically significant difference between the three groups with regards to side effects. Limitations: The sample size was small with ten patients in each group. Furthermore, the follow-up of patients was for only three months. Conclusions: Platelet-rich plasma could be considered as a promising therapy for patients with chronic telogen effluvium with an excellent safety profile. The ordinary laboratory low-cost tubes might be a reliable alternative to the expensive special platelet-rich plasma kits tubes. The trial registry number is PACTR202006539654415

Evaluation Of Serum Biotin And Serum Ferritin In Women With Diffuse Hair Loss

Introduction: Diffuse hair loss is a very common problem in women. The condition has several causes. Anything that interrupts the normal hair cycle can trigger diffuse hair loss. Various studies have shown reduced levels of haemoglobin, serum ferritin, biotin, and thyroid abnormalities to be triggering factors for diffuse hair loss. Supplements of biotin and iron are commonly used in the management of diffuse hair loss in females. However contradictory observational data have so far failed to establish a conclusive evidence about the serum levels of biotin and ferritin. Materials and Methods: This study has been planned to evaluate the role of hemoglobin, thyroid hormones, serum levels of Biotin and Ferritin in female patients with diffuse hair loss of different types. 80 female patients presenting with diffuse hair loss were included in the study after considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Ethical clearance was taken from the institutional ethics committee before starting the study. Serum ferritin and serum biotin were estimated using ELISA method. Haemoglobin was estimated using an auto analyzer. Thyroid function test were evaluated using chemiluminiscence method. Results: Reduced haemoglobin was seen in 35 patients. However serum ferritin was reduced in only one patient. Hypothyroidism was detected in 8 patients. Serum biotin was normal in all the patients. However serum biotin was towards the lower limit of normal in many patients. Conclusion: From findings of our study, association of serum ferritin with hair loss is not conclusive and also the role of biotin in hair loss has to be evaluated with further larger studies.

Polyherbal Formulation (Hairzone Solution) in the Management of Diffuse Hair Loss: Post Marketing Safety and Efficacy Study.

Hair loss is a common and distressing problem, affecting men and women of all the ages and ranging from a small bare patch to a more diffuse and obvious pattern. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Hairzone solution in diffuse hair loss. Twenty-eight cases were included in the study according to the subject selection criteria. All the patients were advised to gently massage the solution into the scalp part by part, covering the whole area of the scalp and to rinse it in the morning. The response to therapy was evaluated at monthly intervals for a period of six months. The changes in various parameters from baseline values and the values at each visit for six months were evaluated statistically using Graph Pad Prism Version 4.03 for windows, Graph Pad Software, San Diego, California, United States. The criteria for evaluation were signs and symptoms such as reduction in hairfall by 1-minute combing test, reduction in associated symptoms like itching and overall impression. The study clearly demonstrated the beneficial effects of Hairzone solution in diffuse hair loss as evident by reduced hair fall by 1-minute combing test, in addition to decrease in itching. Hair loss was reduced in 21 of 28 patients. Further safety of the product was also substantiated by clinical parameters. Therefore, it can be concluded that Hairzone solution is safe and effective in the management of diffuse hair loss.

Blood Levels of Iron in Korean Patients with Female Diffuse Hair Loss / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Female diffuse hair loss is a common baldness with a multifactorial origin. In recent studies, it has been suggested that reduced or depleted iron stores are a cause of female diffuse hair loss. OBJECTIVE: We performed this study in order to elucidate the pathogenesis of female diffuse hair loss and to evaluate the differences in serurn iron levels between normal females and those with diffuse hair loss in Korea. METHODS: Blood levels of hemoglobin, iron, TIBC, ferritin, testosterone, thyroid function, ANA and Zn were examined in 30 patients with female diffuse hair loss and 20 normal females. RESULTS: 1) Serum Zn, testosterone, T4, TSH of the patient group were not statistically significant compared to those of the control group (p>0.05). 2) TIBC values were significantly increased, but serum ferritin levels were signifieantly decreased in the patient group (p0.05). 3) No significant differences between clinical severity and the values of serum Zn, testosterone, T4, TSH, TIBC, serum femtin, hemoglobin and serum iron were observed (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings suggested that the variations of TIBC, serum femtin levels may play a role in the pathogenesis of female diffuse hair loss, but further studies will be needed for evaluation of this condition.