Response of Drs. J. E. Pope and E. H. Makela to the Article 'Depression Circumstantially Related to the Administration of Finasteride for Androgenetic Alopecia'

The authors of a questioned paper defend their study linking finasteride to depression in patients with androgenetic alopecia. They argue that their study was conducted objectively and that a selection bias was not present. They suggest that collecting a detailed medical history at the first visit could be a useful clinical methodology. The authors acknowledge that their report does not offer clear answers but raises an issue that warrants further investigation. They protest against rigid schematization of medical communication and applaud the privilege of their European medical culture.