5-alpha-reductase inhibitors are associated with reduced frequency of COVID-19 symptoms in males with androgenetic alopecia.

Abstract

We have previously reported that men with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) are more likely to present with severe COVID-19 symptoms, potentially implicating androgen sensitivity as a risk factor for COVID-19.1-3 As such, we hypothesized that 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (5ARi) may reduce the severity of COVID-19 disease. To test this hypothesis we conducted a retrospective cohort analysis on male subjects with laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. The subjects presented at one of five outpatient clinics (Corpometria Institute Brasilia, Brazil) from June 15 to July 28, 2020. At the time of visit, 29 clinical symptoms associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection were documented. For analysis, male subjects with AGA were selected. The frequency of clinical symptoms in males with AGA using 5ARis was compared to those not using 5ARis.