Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41127390›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in medicine2025

Comparing minoxidil-finasteride mixed solution with minoxidil solution alone for male androgenetic alopecia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Yulong Li, Qianqian Huang, Zhongbao Zhou, Yong Zhang

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Yulong Li *Department of Urology, Beijing TianTan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Qianqian Huang *Department of Gastroenterology, The People's Hospital of Jimo District, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
Zhongbao ZhouDepartment of Urology, Beijing TianTan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Yong ZhangDepartment of Urology, Beijing TianTan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of topical minoxidil-finasteride combination (MFX) versus minoxidil monotherapy (MNX) for male androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception through May 2025. Methodological quality was assessed using Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool, with statistical analyses performed using RevMan 5.3 and evidence certainty evaluated through GRADEpro GDT. CRD420251054497. Results: This meta-analysis of seven RCTs ( Conclusion: Topical minoxidil-finasteride combination therapy demonstrates superior efficacy over monotherapy for male AGA, supporting its clinical adoption. However, larger, standardized trials are needed to confirm long-term outcomes and optimize treatment protocols. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251054497, identifier CRD420251054497.

Indexed as

androgenetic alopeciacombination therapyfinasteridemeta-analysisminoxidilrandomized controlled trials

Identifiers

PMID41127390
PMCPMC12537375

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.