Online Traffic Analysis of Direct-to-Consumer Websites for Hair Loss Treatment and Characterization of Finasteride Patients on a Platform in Germany: A Potential Paradigm Shift in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

• DOI: 10.2147/ccid.s400614
• Publication Date: 2023-04-05T06:40:13Z
• Authors: Finn Abeck; Inga Hansen; Isabell Wiesenhütter; Florian Schröder; Julian Kött; Stefan W Schneider; Johannes von Büren
• Keywords: teledermatology; Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology; RL1-803; hair loss; online prescription platform; telemedicine; Dermatology; androgenetic alopecia; 3. Good health; finasteride; Original Research

The number of online prescription platforms (OPPs) offering telemedical diagnosis and treatment, including finasteride, for androgenetic alopecia (AA) by using medical questionnaires (MQs) has increased. This type care delivery differs completely from traditional forms. study aimed to investigate a potential paradigm shift in AA treatment measuring the extent traffic generated OPPs that exclusively treat furthermore characterizing sociodemographic features men undergoing finasteride an OPP Germany.Examination three (Keeps, Shapiro MD, Myspring), via MQ between Q1 2018 2022 was performed SEMRush, marketing software platform analysis. Further data regarding characteristics were collected Myspring recruiting with who obtained prescriptions March 2021 January 2022.A high unique quarterly visitors recorded. increased on all (Keeps 846%, MD 109%, 427%). Most patients had accessed mobile devices. included total 2904 men. Of answered follow-up questionnaire (n = 177), 33.9% been referred television advertising. respondents, 21.5% reported monthly net income below 1000 euros. 45.2% responding being single, while 15.3% considered themselves homosexual, 4.5% bisexual. Convenience most common reason indicated (79.1%).The tremendous increase visits suggests care, particularly MQ-based treatment. Sociodemographic reasons use suggest away models may future. broad these digital health services warrants further investigation, patient safety.