COVID-19, Androgens, and Androgenic Alopecia

December 2020 in “ Dermatological reviews ”

Carlos Gustavo Wambier

androgens androgenic alopecia anti-androgenic drugs androgen pathway CAG repeats androgen receptor

Studysummary This review discusses the potential link between androgenic alopecia, androgens, and the severity of COVID-19, highlighting possible therapeutic targets but reports no new clinical results. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

This document explores the possible connection between COVID-19 and androgenic alopecia, a type of hair loss caused by androgen hormones. Studies suggest that androgens may worsen COVID-19 in male patients, and anti-androgenic drugs may offer protection against the virus. However, further research is necessary to fully comprehend the relationship between COVID-19 and androgens. The document also highlights ongoing clinical trials testing drugs that target the androgen pathway in COVID-19 and a study that found a correlation between long CAG repeats in the androgen receptor and severe COVID-19 outcomes.

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Research cited in this study

11 / 11 results

Early Antiandrogen Therapy With Dutasteride Reduces Viral Shedding, Inflammatory Responses, and Time-to-Remission in Males With COVID-19: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Interventional Trial

research Early Antiandrogen Therapy With Dutasteride Reduces Viral Shedding, Inflammatory Responses, and Time-to-Remission in Males With COVID-19: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Interventional Trial

41 citations , February 2021 in “Cureus”

This study found that in males with mild COVID-19, treatment with dutasteride, along with standard therapy, may reduce viral shedding and inflammation compared to placebo.

research Alopecia and Grey Hair Are Associated with COVID-19 Severity

27 citations , October 2020 in “Experimental Dermatology”

This study found that both extensive grey hair and alopecia were independently associated with increased COVID-19 severity among survey respondents in Brazil.

Male Balding as a Major Risk Factor for Severe COVID-19: A Possible Role for Targeting Androgens and Transmembrane Protease Serine 2 to Protect Vulnerable Individuals

research Male Balding as a Major Risk Factor for Severe COVID-19: A Possible Role for Targeting Androgens and Transmembrane Protease Serine 2 to Protect Vulnerable Individuals

6 citations , September 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This letter discusses how severe baldness in men is associated with higher risk of severe COVID-19, and highlights research suggesting antiandrogen medications may improve outcomes.

Androgenetic Alopecia in COVID-19: Comparison to Age-Matched Epidemiologic Studies and Hospital Outcomes With or Without the Gabrin Sign

research Androgenetic Alopecia in COVID-19: Comparison to Age-Matched Epidemiologic Studies and Hospital Outcomes With or Without the Gabrin Sign

32 citations , July 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study noted that among hospitalized COVID-19 patients, androgenetic alopecia was prevalent, and severe cases were associated with adverse outcomes such as respiratory failure, highlighting a possible link with androgen sensitivity.

research Male Balding Is a Major Risk Factor for Severe COVID-19

29 citations , July 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

In this study, researchers found that severe androgenic alopecia in hospitalized men was associated with a higher likelihood of testing positive for COVID-19.

research Androgenetic Alopecia Present in the Majority of Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19: The 'Gabrin Sign'

119 citations , May 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study observed a high prevalence of androgenetic alopecia in patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19, with 79% of men and 42% of women affected, suggesting a potential link between androgen sensitivity and COVID-19 severity.

research Androgen Sensitivity Gateway to COVID-19 Disease Severity

123 citations , May 2020 in “Drug Development Research”

This article argues that androgen sensitivity could be a key factor in the severity of COVID-19, suggesting that trials with anti-androgen agents may be warranted.

Racial Variations in COVID-19 Deaths May Be Due to Androgen Receptor Genetic Variants Associated with Prostate Cancer and Androgenetic Alopecia. Are Anti-Androgens a Potential Treatment for COVID-19?

research Racial Variations in COVID-19 Deaths May Be Due to Androgen Receptor Genetic Variants Associated with Prostate Cancer and Androgenetic Alopecia. Are Anti-Androgens a Potential Treatment for COVID-19?

71 citations , April 2020 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

This article discusses the potential link between genetic variants associated with androgen receptor activity and racial variations in COVID-19 mortality, suggesting a possible role for anti-androgens in treatment, but reports no new clinical findings.

A Preliminary Observation: Male Pattern Hair Loss Among Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in Spain – A Potential Clue to the Role of Androgens in COVID-19 Severity

research A Preliminary Observation: Male Pattern Hair Loss Among Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in Spain – A Potential Clue to the Role of Androgens in COVID-19 Severity

134 citations , April 2020 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Male pattern hair loss could hint at androgens affecting COVID-19 severity.

research What Does Androgenetic Alopecia Have to Do with COVID-19? An Insight into a Potential New Therapy

47 citations , April 2020 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

This letter discusses the potential connection between androgenetic alopecia and COVID-19, suggesting a possible new therapy, but it reports no new results.

Baldness And The Androgen Receptor: The AR Polyglycine Repeat Polymorphism Does Not Confer Susceptibility To Androgenetic Alopecia

research Baldness And The Androgen Receptor: The AR Polyglycine Repeat Polymorphism Does Not Confer Susceptibility To Androgenetic Alopecia

60 citations , January 2007 in “Human Genetics”

In this study, researchers found that while the SNP rs6152 is strongly associated with androgenetic alopecia, the GGN triplet repeat is not, suggesting the causative variant is likely a non-coding one.