P#42  Validation of a novel Scalp Coverage Scoring : the SCS method and its use in the hair clinic

E. Sandraps, T. Leroy, Y. Demortier and D. Van Neste. Skinterface, Tournai, Belgium

A new instrument and method for scalp coverage scoring (SCS) is proposed for male subjects with androgenetic alopecia (AGA). SCS can be applied in real time in the hair clinic for diagnostic and therapeutic monitoring purposes. The in vivo SCS is correlated with SCS on global scalp photographs (r = 0,88). The inter- and intra-observer (n=2) variation of SCS on target area photographs was less than 3%. Furthermore, this system has been validated with a highly sensitive phototrichogram method (1). There was a significant correlation of SCS scores in a target site with the % of thick anagen hair (r = 0.86) and with density of thin hair (r = -0.68) in that site. Changes over time on global scalp photographs (18 subjects at baseline and after 12 and 60 months) evaluated with SCS and rated by a panel of independent experts were correlated (r = 0.88). Finally we also evaluated SCS in male subjects with AGA randomized for 1 year to finasteride or placebo treatment (2). In the finasteride treated subjects scalp hair folliculograms showed significantly improved anagen hair roots. This further validates of SCS as a novel and easy to use method in the hair clinic (3).

(1) Eur. J. Dermatol. 4:326-331

(2) Br J Dermatol 2000 Oct;143(4):804-810

(3) application patent PCT/EP/ 01/0697