The Ferriman-Gallwey Scale is used to grade which clinical feature?

• A. Hirsutism
• B. Blood pressure
• C. Bone density
• D. Glucose tolerance

Answer: (A)

This item is about quantifying hair growth that results from androgen effects. The Ferriman-Gallwey scale evaluates terminal hair in predefined body regions that are sensitive to androgens. Each area is scored from 0 to 4, where 0 means no hair and 4 means very extensive growth, and all scores are summed to give a total. A higher total indicates more severe hirsutism. It’s commonly used to help diagnose conditions with excess androgens, such as polycystic ovary syndrome or adrenal disorders, and to monitor response to treatment. Ethnicity can affect what’s considered a normal score, so the threshold for defining hirsutism can vary, and the scale measures pattern and amount of hair rather than directly measuring hormone levels.