Long-Term Effectiveness and Safety of Dutasteride versus Finasteride in Patients with Male Androgenic Alopecia in South Korea: A Multicentre Chart Review Study

Background: Dutasteride improves hair growth compared with finasteride in male androgenic alopecia (AGA) and is well tolerated. However, real-world evidence for long-term dutasteride use in AGA is lacking.

Objective: To describe baseline characteristics, treatment patterns and long-term safety and effectiveness of dutasteride versus finasteride.

Methods: This was a multicentre, retrospective medical chart review study conducted in South Korea. The index date was the first prescription of dutasteride or finasteride. Baseline characteristics were assessed 6 months prior to index. Safety and effectiveness (improvements in basic and specific [BASP] classification) data were collected from index throughout the observation period.

Results: Overall, 600 male adult patients were included (dutasteride, n=295; finasteride, n=305). Dutasteride-treated patients were older (p<0.001) and more likely to have moderate/severe BASP classification at baseline (p=0.010) compared with finasteride-treated patients. Among patients treated with recommended, on-label dosing exclusively (n=535: dutasteride, n=250; finasteride, n=285), dutasteride-treated patients showed greater improvement in hair growth than finasteride-treated patients, as measured by the BASP basic M classification (adjusted incidence rate ratio [95% confidence interval]: 2.06 [1.08, 3.95]; p=0.029). Among this same subset, overall occurrence of adverse events (AEs) during the observation period were not statistically equivalent between groups (dutasteride 7.6%, finasteride 10.5%; p=0.201), although reports of AEs of special interest were equivalent (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Dutasteride showed greater effectiveness than finasteride in improving BASP classification in treating male AGA and had a similar or possibly lower occurrence of overall AEs. Dutasteride may provide an effective and safe treatment option for male patients with AGA.