Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: A Retrospective Review of 19 Patients Seen at Duke University

In a retrospective review at Duke University, 19 female patients with Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia (FFA) were evaluated to understand their demographic and clinical characteristics and to assess their response to treatments. The study found that the majority of patients were white and postmenopausal, and while the cause of FFA was not determined, various treatments were tried with limited success. Notably, 70% of patients treated with dutasteride, a 5α-reductase inhibitor, experienced stabilization of the disease. Despite the small sample size and retrospective nature of the study, which limit the strength of the conclusions, the findings suggest that dutasteride may be effective in halting the progression of FFA. Further research, including controlled clinical trials and questionnaires, was recommended to explore the potential of 5α-reductase inhibitors in treating FFA and to better understand the condition.