Anti-androgens may protect against severe COVID-19 outcomes: results from a prospective cohort study of 77 hospitalized men.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionally affected men.1 Men infected with SARS-CoV-2 are more than twice as likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).2 This disparity in ICU admissions suggests the important role of androgens in COVID-19 severity.3 Previously, we reported that among 122 men hospitalized due to COVID-19, 79% were diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia (AGA),4 which is commonly treated with anti-androgens. Anti-androgens commonly used in the treatment of AGA such as finasteride, dutasteride, spironolactone, and bicalutamide could improve outcomes among men infected by SARS-CoV-2.