Is COVID-19 a Risk Factor for Progression of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Exacerbation of Its Related Symptoms?: A Systematic Review

    May 2021 in “ Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases ”
    Abdolreza Haghpanah, Fatemeh Masjedi, Mehdi Salehipour, Alireza Hosseinpour, Jamshid Roozbeh, Akram Dehghani
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    TLDR COVID-19 might worsen symptoms and progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia, possibly due to inflammation and metabolic disturbances in the prostate gland. More research is needed to confirm this.
    The systematic review, which analyzed 52 papers, suggests that COVID-19 may exacerbate symptoms and progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, may infect the prostate gland by binding to angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), leading to inflammation and metabolic disturbances. This process could worsen lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and BPH. The review also highlights the potential role of androgens, noting that COVID-19 may be androgen-mediated and that males with androgenic alopecia could be at greater risk of severe COVID-19. The document suggests that 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, such as finasteride, may reduce COVID-19 symptoms. However, the review concludes that more research is needed to confirm whether COVID-19 is a risk factor for BPH progression and symptom exacerbation.
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