Systematic investigation of a potential epidemiological and genetic association between male androgenetic alopecia and COVID‐19

Abstract

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.