Age, What Age, How Old? A Study on Androgenetic Alopecia Progression in Men Over 5 Years with Placebo Treatment

The document reports on a study that observed the progression of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in men over a 5-year period who were treated with a placebo. The study initially included 67 men in the intent-to-treat (ITT) cohort, with 13 completing the full duration. Results showed a significant decline in hair density, with a 26.3% reduction in hair count and 75% of the placebo group rated as having worsened hair loss after 5 years. Despite some participants reporting satisfaction with their hair appearance, the majority experienced dissatisfaction or no change. The study, funded by Merck & Co., Inc., and involving some authors who were employees and stockholders of the company, concluded that untreated AGA leads to progressive hair loss, although the small sample size may not fully represent the broader AGA-affected male population.