P9.122 IS IT ETHICAL TO USE PLACEBO CONTROLS IN MALE PATTERN HAIR LOSS STUDIESWHEN WE HAVE EFFECTIVEACTIVE CONTROLS?

D. Hugh Rushton, Ian D. Ramsay

School of Pharmacy, Portsmouth, UK& Lister Hospital, London, UK

Objective: Do placebo or untreated subjects with male pattern hairloss (MPHL) lose further hair while taking part in a clinical trial that runs for 12 months or longer?
Methods: Monozygotic twins with MPHL were followed for two years using global photography. During the first year twin #1 was treated with an effective type I, type II 5a reductase inhibitor in combination with topical 3% minoxldil. Twin #2 was left untreated for 12 months following which he was treated with the same regimen, while his brother continued on treatment for a further 12 months. Global photographs were taken after 12 and 24 months respectively.
Results: Significant hair regrowth was seen in the treated twin (#1) after 12 months compared with the untreated twin #2 (photographs 1to 2). Photographs 3 to 4 are for the untreated twin after 12 months of treatment and his brother after 24 months on treatment.
Conclusions: You are Invited to evaluate the photographs and answer the question; does twin #1 have more hair at 12 months than his brother who delayed treatment? The question will be in English, German, Spanish, French, italian, and Japanese and the results of the respondents will be given at the end of the final poster session. This is an interactive poster presentation! The outcome should form a basis for debating the ethical issue; should we be using placebo controls when effective active options are available?