Respiratory

Abstract

Background: The TMPRSS2 protein is an entry pathway for SARS-CoV-2, its expression is up-regulated by testosterone. Men have 7 to 8 times higher serum testosterone than women. We propose that patients hospitalized with COVID-19, with higher levels of testosterone, have worse outcomes than those with lower levels. Methods: A prospective, observational analysis of patients over 18-years-old with COVID-19 admitted to the internal medicine department in Mexicali’s General Hospital from January to April 2021. Results: 49 patients included, 32 men with a mean free testosterone of 2.95 pg/ml; 17 women with a mean of 1.08 pg/ml (p = 0.0002). 16 patients survived, with a mean of 3.21 pg/ml while 33 patients died with a mean of 1.82 pg/ ml (p = 0.007). In the male subgroup, the mean of survivors was 3.95 pg/m, in non-survivors was 2.43 pg/ml (p = 0.017). In women, the survivors mean was 1.85 pg/ml while in non-survivors it was 0.66 pg/ml (p = 0.01). Conclusions: Our study showed that hospitalized patients with COVID-19, with lower levels of free testosterone have worse outcomes than those with higher levels.