Expression of Concern: Potential Risk for Developing Severe COVID-19 Disease Among Anabolic Steroid Users

February 2021 in “ BMJ case reports ”

Flavio Cadegiani, Erica Lin, Andy Goren, Carlos Gustavo Wambier

anabolic steroid oxandrolone proxalutamide antiandrogen

TLDR Anabolic steroid users may face higher risk of severe COVID-19.

A 28-year-old man who had been using the anabolic steroid oxandrolone developed severe COVID-19 symptoms, which rapidly worsened over 4 days. After receiving a single 600 mg dose of the novel antiandrogen proxalutamide, his symptoms and disease severity markers significantly improved within 24 hours. This case suggested a potential link between anabolic steroid use and increased COVID-19 severity.

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

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Expression of Concern: Potential Risk for Developing Severe COVID-19 Disease Among Anabolic Steroid Users

Cited in this study

research 5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitors Are Associated With Reduced Frequency of COVID-19 Symptoms in Males With Androgenetic Alopecia

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

research Enzalutamide, a Prostate Cancer Therapeutic, Downregulates TMPRSS2 in Lung and Reduces Cellular Entry of SARS-CoV-2

research Anti-Androgens May Protect Against Severe COVID-19 Outcomes: Results From a Prospective Cohort Study of 77 Hospitalized Men

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

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

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