BACKGROUND: Until now, there has been no reliable, simple method available for measuring hair quantity that is suitable in clinical practice. Recently, the cross-section trichometer by Cohen has been introduced. This study was designed to test its clinical utility. METHODS: The hair mass index (HMI) is ratio of the cross-sectional area of an isolated bundle of hair and the premeasured area of skin from which it was taken using the trichometer device. The intra- and interobserver reproducibility of measurements at the same location and after relocation were evaluated. RESULTS: For intraobserver reproducibility, the HMI ranged from 3 to 120 (mean difference .2, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -4.7-5.1, correlation coefficient [r] = .99. For interobserver reproducibility, the HMI ranged from 18 to 119 (mean difference -.4, 95% CI = -8,0-7,2, r = .98). With relocation, the HMI ranged from 2 to 113 (mean difference -1.0, 95% CI = -10.1-8.1, r = .97). Measurements took 5-10 minutes per area. CONCLUSION: Measurements were simple to perform, and the data showed high reproducibility. The trichometer is a promising technology for hair quantity measurements and has multiple clinical and research applications.
BACKGROUND: Until now, there has been no reliable, simple method available for measuring hair quantity that is suitable in clinical practice. Recently, the cross-section trichometer by Cohen has been introduced. This study was designed to test its clinical utility. METHODS: The hair mass index (HMI) is ratio of the cross-sectional area of an isolated bundle of hair and the premeasured area of skin from which it was taken using the trichometer device. The intra- and interobserver reproducibility of measurements at the same location and after relocation were evaluated. RESULTS: For intraobserver reproducibility, the HMI ranged from 3 to 120 (mean difference .2, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -4.7-5.1, correlation coefficient [r] = .99. For interobserver reproducibility, the HMI ranged from 18 to 119 (mean difference -.4, 95% CI = -8,0-7,2, r = .98). With relocation, the HMI ranged from 2 to 113 (mean difference -1.0, 95% CI = -10.1-8.1, r = .97). Measurements took 5-10 minutes per area. CONCLUSION: Measurements were simple to perform, and the data showed high reproducibility. The trichometer is a promising technology for hair quantity measurements and has multiple clinical and research applications.
Authors: Rowena E Vleut; Joyce E A M van Poppel; Marcus W Dercksen; Mijke Peerbooms; Saskia Houterman; Wim P M Breed Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2013-01-22 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Manon M C Komen; Wim P M Breed; Carolien H Smorenburg; Tjeerd van der Ploeg; S H Goey; Jacobus J M van der Hoeven; Johan W R Nortier; Corina J G van den Hurk Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2016-01-25 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Tongyu Cao Wikramanayake; Lucia M Mauro; Irene A Tabas; Anne L Chen; Isabel C Llanes; Joaquin J Jimenez Journal: Int J Trichology Date: 2012-10