%0 Randomized Controlled Trial
%T Clinical effectiveness of finasteride versus hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of frontal fibrosing alopecia: A randomized controlled trial.
%A Saber M
%A Farokhshahi M
%A Fatemi Naeini F
%A Mohaghegh F
%A Asilian A
%J J Cosmet Dermatol
%V 23
%N 2
%D 2024 Feb 10
%M 37691183
%F 2.189
%R 10.1111/jocd.15993
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a cicatricial alopecia with rapid epidemic growth. However, there is no agreement on the best therapeutic approach.<BR><B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To compare the therapeutic effects of finasteride as a first-line systemic treatment of FFA versus hydroxychloroquine as a relatively safe and effective immunosuppressive drug.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Thirty-four female FFA patients were randomly assigned to receive either 400 mg/day of hydroxychloroquine or 2.5 mg/day of finasteride for 6 months. Topical treatments in both groups include pimecrolimus, mometasone, and minoxidil. Treatment efficacy was evaluated using the Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia Severity Score (FFASS), photography, and trichoscopy after 3 and 6 months.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Both the finasteride and hydroxychloroquine groups showed significant improvements in FFASS and trichoscopic scores (p < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups during the study. Photographic assessment showed that more than 60% of patients in both groups had improved without statistically significant differences between the two groups.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Both finasteride and hydroxychloroquine are equally effective, safe, and well-tolerable for treating FFA patients.