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QUESTION OF THE WEEK


The new scoring system for FFA

The FFASI

Developing a consistent method to monitor FFA has been a challenge. How do we measure changes in the hairline? What changes should be followed? How do we photograph? It’s clear that dermatologists that specialist in hair loss have slightly different methods of monitoring the condition. Scales used for monitoring other scarring alopecias (such as lichen planopilaris) don’t work in FFA. 

Holmes and colleagues published a new scale known as the “Frontal fibrosing alopecia severity index (FFASI)” for monitoring changes in FFA. It evaluates FFA based on a score of 100. Points are assigned according to different level of hair loss along the frontal hairline. Additional points are given for patients with eyebrow, eyelash and various areas of body hair loss. The presence of lichen planopilaris on the scalp, facial papules and lichen planus on other areas of the body also give additional points. 

Reference
Holmes S, et al. Frontal fibrosing alopecia severity index (FFASI): a validated scoring system for assessing frontal fibrosing alopecia. Br J Dermatol. 2016


This article was written by Dr. Jeff Donovan, a Canadian and US board certified dermatologist specializing exclusively in hair loss.



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