Research
Field-tested with 390 participants from the US and Canada.
Several PROMs have been developed for hair loss, but most focus on alopecia areata. We aimed to develop a PROM that could be used to measure outcomes important to people with any hair loss condition. The HAIR-Q is the first of a series of PROM scales we plan to publish. This new 14-item scale measures satisfaction with hair. The HAIR-Q was developed from concept elicitation interviews with people seeking treatments from dermatologists and plastic surgeons. Content validity was established through cognitive debriefing interviews with 11 patients and feedback from 12 clinical experts. Additional feedback on this new scale was obtained from 59 people who had a variety of hair loss treatments. Using Rasch measurement theory analysis, the HAIR-Q evidenced reliability and validity in an international sample of 390 people. This PROM can be used in research and to inform clinical care.
HAIR-Q: Our team is conducting research now to develop and validate more scales to add to the HAIR-Q to ensure this new PROM is comprehensive. These scales will measure important concepts such as symptoms and hair-related distress.
GENDER-Q: Gender-affirming care includes treatments for hair loss. Our team has created several hair-specific scales as part of the GENDER-Q, a PROM for people who identify as transgender or gender diverse. GENDER-Q hair scales are specific to facial hair, eyebrows and hair on the head.
FACE-Q AESTHETICS: We previously developed and validated a scale that measures satisfaction with eyelashes as part of the FACE-Q Aesthetics module.
Field-tested with 390 participants from the US and Canada.
Can be used in clinical trials of treatments for any hair loss condition.
Designed using a modern psychometric approach to facilitate use in patient care.