Survey on Patient Satisfaction with Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA) Treatment in Medical Institutions

In 2011, a study was conducted to assess patient satisfaction with treatment for androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in medical institutions. The study revealed that about 8 million men were concerned about thinning hair, and 6.5 million had taken steps to address it. Prior to the release of finasteride (Propecia), many men used over-the-counter (OTC) hair growth products purchased from drug stores. However, a survey on the use of these OTC products showed that overall satisfaction was low, with less than 20% of users being even slightly satisfied. Reasons for this dissatisfaction included a lack of understanding of how to use the products, low adherence due to the inconvenience of use, a high proportion of users who judged effectiveness in less than 6 months, and a lack of information about the expected improvement in hair condition. The survey also found that over 50% of OTC users expressed a desire to consult with a doctor. After several years since the release of finasteride in December 2005, and with AGA treatment in medical institutions becoming common, an internet survey was conducted to assess the satisfaction of patients who actually visited medical institutions.