A K Gupta1,2, J L Carviel2. 1. a Department of Medicine , University of Toronto School of Medicine , Toronto , Ontario , Canada. 2. b Mediprobe Research Inc , London , Ontario , Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is used as an off-label treatment for androgenetic alopecia (AGA); however, published efficacy evidence is still preliminary. OBJECTIVE: Conduct a meta-analysis of current trial data to estimate efficacy. METHODS: Thirteen studies which investigated the use of PRP for treatment of AGA were identified from the literature. A meta-analysis was used to analyze results from four trials (N = 60) where sufficient quantifiable data extraction was possible. All 13 studies were analyzed qualitatively. RESULTS: When comparing PRP treatment to baseline, the overall standardized mean difference was 0.51 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.14, 0.88; I2 = 0%] in favour of PRP treatment. CONCLUSION: Preliminary results suggest that the investigation of PRP for the treatment of AGA is promising. Controlled trials with quantifiable measures of treatment success are now required to confirm these results.
BACKGROUND: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is used as an off-label treatment for androgenetic alopecia (AGA); however, published efficacy evidence is still preliminary. OBJECTIVE: Conduct a meta-analysis of current trial data to estimate efficacy. METHODS: Thirteen studies which investigated the use of PRP for treatment of AGA were identified from the literature. A meta-analysis was used to analyze results from four trials (N = 60) where sufficient quantifiable data extraction was possible. All 13 studies were analyzed qualitatively. RESULTS: When comparing PRP treatment to baseline, the overall standardized mean difference was 0.51 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.14, 0.88; I2 = 0%] in favour of PRP treatment. CONCLUSION: Preliminary results suggest that the investigation of PRP for the treatment of AGA is promising. Controlled trials with quantifiable measures of treatment success are now required to confirm these results.