ASSESSMENT OF THE SEVERETY OF ANDROGENETIC ALOPECIA USING TRICHOSCOPIC FEATURES AND THEIR CORRELATION WITH HISTOMORPHOLOGICAL FINDINGS

Abstract

Introduction: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common form of hair loss in both women and men. Objective assessment of disease severity is critically important, as it determines the treatment strategy, the intensity of therapy, and the need for a comprehensive approach.

Aim of the study: The aim of our study was to determine the correlation between trichoscopic features and histomorphological findings, which would allow us to assess the severity of AGA using trichoscopy and to evaluate the effectiveness of anti-microinflammatory agents used in the treatment of the disease.

Materials and Methods: The ethical application for the study was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of David Tvildiani Medical University. Study design: prospective, observational, clinicopathological correlation study. A total of 64 patients (41 women and 23 men) with clinically varying degrees of female and male pattern hair loss and trichoscopically confirmed AGA were included in the study. Every third patient underwent a biopsy, and the specimens were prepared using both transverse and longitudinal sections.

Results: Our study revealed a positive correlation between trichoscopic features and histomorphological findings.

Conclusion: Trichoscopy, hair and scalp dermoscopy, is a non-invasive diagnostic method that enables comprehensive evaluation of the androgen-dependent area and assessment of disease severity. This examination should be routinely used for the diagnosis of AGA and for monitoring treatment outcomes. However, trichoscopy cannot determine the stage of male- or female-pattern hair loss, which should be assessed using global photography.