Extraordinary Claims Without Extraordinary Evidence: Controversy on Anti-Androgen Therapy for COVID-19

The letter to the editor expresses skepticism regarding the claims that anti-androgen therapy, specifically 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors like finasteride and dutasteride, could reduce the severity of COVID-19 symptoms in males with androgenetic alopecia (AGA). The authors highlight a case of a 40-year-old man with AGA on finasteride who experienced severe COVID-19 symptoms, contradicting the hypothesis that anti-androgen therapy could be protective. They acknowledge ongoing studies on anti-androgen therapy for COVID-19 but call for extraordinary evidence to support such extraordinary claims. The letter also criticizes the rapid publication and self-citation practices of some authors in the field, suggesting a lack of robust evidence and a propensity for publicity. The authors urge for results from randomized, controlled clinical trials to validate any potential therapeutic benefits of anti-androgen treatment for COVID-19.