| Title: | Systematic investigation of a potential epidemiological and genetic association between male androgenetic alopecia and COVID-19 |
| Journal: | Skin Health and Disease |
| Published: | 21 Oct 2021 |
| Pubmed: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34901950/ |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ski2.72 |
| URL: | https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1002/ski2.72 |
| Citations: | 2 (1 in last 2 years) as of 8 Aug 2024 |
Publication 12669
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Male androgenetic alopecia (AGA) has been implicated as a putative risk factor in severe COVID-19 based on high incidences of advanced AGA in male hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Research further suggests that androgen signalling, which plays a central role in AGA aetiology, promotes SARS-CoV-2 infection and is associated with severe COVID-19 symptoms in men.</p>
OBJECTIVES: We aimed to systematically investigate a potential association between AGA and COVID-19 both on an epidemiological and a genetic level in a large single-population cohort.</p>
METHODS: We performed regression, genetic correlation and polygenic risk score (PRS) analyses using data from the UK Biobank and published GWAS data on AGA and COVID-19.</p>
RESULTS: Our analyses did not reveal any significant epidemiological or genome-wide genetic association between AGA and severe COVID-19. Pathway-based PRS analyses however revealed a significant association in specific pathways, namely vitamin metabolism, natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity, WNT signalling and aryl hydrocarbon receptor signalling.</p>
LIMITATIONS: We restricted our analyses to the white British population and used self-reported AGA status. Sample size may be a limitation in our regression and PRS analyses.</p>
CONCLUSIONS: Our data yield no evidence for an epidemiological association between AGA and COVID-19 but suggest that a shared genetic basis for both traits exists in specific pathways.</p>
5 Authors
- S. K. Henne
- L. M. Hochfeld
- C. Maj
- M. M. Nöthen
- S. Heilmann-Heimbach
1 Application
| Application ID | Title |
|---|---|
| 24661 | Systematic insights into the genetic basis of male-pattern baldness |
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