Publication:

A questionnaire-based survey among Indian dermatologists regarding the management of androgenetic alopecia with nutritional supplements

Background Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is highly prevalent among Indians. Regardless of the type of alopecia, nutritional deficiency is common among Indians experiencing hair loss. However, data on clinical practices for using nutritional supplements as an adjunct in the management of AGA are lacking. The present questionnaire-based survey assessed the epidemiology of AGA, the role of nutritional supplements (their benefits and safety) and the real-world benefits (from patients’ and physicians’ perspectives) of a novel nutritional supplement containing a natural dihydrotestosterone (DHT) inhibitor, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants as an adjunct in managing AGA.

Methods Responses to the questionnaire were obtained from 236 healthcare professionals (HCPs) who treated 10 patients each for AGA in their routine practice and data were summarised as frequencies and percentages.

Results More than half the HCPs opined that AGA is common among Indians aged 20–30 years. The majority of HCPs (97.46%) stated that AGA is more common in males than females. Approximately 58.47% of HCPs indicated that nutritional supplements containing DHT inhibitors are a better alternative adjunct treatment for AGA, whereas 99.15% reported that they had excellent (35.17%) or good (63.98%) efficacy. Overall, 92.36% of HCPs agreed (52.11%) or strongly agreed (40.25%) that a nutritional supplement pack lasting 15 or 30 days helps to improve compliance.

Conclusions The survey findings indicate that the novel comprehensive nutritional supplement containing a natural DHT inhibitor is a good adjuvant in the treatment of AGA.