SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in androgen sensitive phenotypes - A study on associated factors for SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and its adverse effects among androgenetic alopecia and benign prostate hyperplasia patients.

BACKGROUND

Androgen sensitivity, which was established as the leading etiology of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), plays an important role in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Vaccination is essential for AGA and BPH patients in view of the high risk from SARS-CoV-2 infection.

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the associated factors for SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and its side effects in populations with AGA and BPH.

METHOD: We collected the data on SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and adverse reactions of male AGA and BPH patients visited the outpatient of Xiangya hospital by telephone and web-based questionnaires. Vaccination rate and adverse reactions were compared by different vaccine types and use of anti-androgen therapy.

RESULT: A total of 457 AGA patients and 397 BPH patients were recruited in this study. Among which, 92.8% AGA patients and 61.0% BPH patients had at least the first dose of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination (p < 0.001). Having comorbidities and use of anti-androgen therapy increased the risk of un-vaccination among AGA by 2.875 and 3.729 times, respectively (p < 0.001). Around 31.1% AGA patients and 9.5% BPH patients presented adverse reactions, which were mostly mild. Anti-androgen therapy increased the inclination of injection site pain after vaccination (18.7% vs 11.9%; OR: 1.708, 95% CI: 1.088-2.683, p = 0.019).

CONCLUSION

Co-existence of other systemic diseases and anti-androgen therapy were the limiting factors for SARS-CoV-2 unvaccination, especially in AGA patients. The importance of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines should be strengthened and popularized in androgen sensitive phenotypes.