The Role of Androgens in COVID-19

October 2020 in “ Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research and Reviews ”

Fatemeh Moradi, Behnaz Enjezab, Akram Ghadiri-Anari

androgens TMPRSS2 SARS-CoV-2 androgen-targeted therapies

Studysummary This review discusses the potential role of androgens in increasing susceptibility to severe COVID-19 complications in men but presents no new clinical findings.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The document discussed the role of androgens in COVID-19, highlighting that androgens might influence the severity of the disease. It suggested that higher androgen levels could be linked to increased expression of TMPRSS2, a protein that facilitates SARS-CoV-2 entry into cells. This connection could explain why men, who generally have higher androgen levels, experienced more severe COVID-19 outcomes compared to women. The study emphasized the need for further research to explore androgen-targeted therapies as potential treatments for COVID-19.

View this study on doi.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

10 / 10 results

research Androgenetic Alopecia in COVID-19: Compared to What?

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

This analysis suggests that the reported association between androgenetic alopecia and severe COVID-19 may be overstated, as prevalence rates in patients match expected levels based on prior studies.

research Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and COVID-19: An Overlooked Female Patient Population at Potentially Higher Risk During the COVID-19 Pandemic

112 citations , July 2020 in “BMC Medicine”

This review discusses how overlapping risk factors in women with polycystic ovary syndrome may heighten their risk for severe COVID-19, advocating for integrated care approaches but provides no new clinical results.

research Are Sex Discordant Outcomes in COVID-19 Related to Sex Hormones?

42 citations , June 2020 in “Seminars in Oncology”

This article reviews sex disparities in COVID-19 outcomes and explores the influence of sex hormones on disease severity, but it reports no new results; further studies are ongoing.

research Management of Telogen Effluvium During the COVID-19 Emergency: Psychological Implications

31 citations , May 2020 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

Quarantine stress likely worsened hair loss in women, but video consultations helped manage their condition and reduce anxiety.

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 HSD3B1 Genotypes Conferring Adrenal-Restrictive and Adrenal-Permissive Phenotypes in Prostate Cancer and Beyond

30 citations , July 2019 in “Endocrinology”

This review discusses how the HSD3B1(1245C) genotype may impact androgen physiology and the progression of castration-resistant prostate cancer, and does not report new experimental results.

research Drugs and Hair Loss: Mechanisms and Clinical Implications

54 citations , September 2012 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

This review discusses possible medication-induced hair loss and the need to exclude other confounding factors like stress and illness; it reports no new clinical findings and emphasizes careful assessment before attributing hair loss to medications.