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COVID-19 pneumonia causes lower testosterone levels

Okçelik S

Andrologia, 2021

44 participants

Abstract

To evaluate the testicular damage caused by COVID-19, we prospectively evaluated 44 patients who applied to the COVID-19 outpatient clinic between March 2020 and July 2020. Patients' ages, COVID-19 PCR results, presence of pneumonia, total testosterone, luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) values were recorded. It was evaluated whether there were significant differences between people who were positive for COVID-19 and those who were not. Any differences between those who had COVID-19 pneumonia and those who did not were also recorded. There was no difference between the FSH, LH and testosterone values of the COVID-19 PCR positive and negative patients (p = 0.80, vp = 0.62, p = 0.56 respectively). However when LH values were separated as low, normal and high, LH values were statistically significantly higher in the COVID-19 PCR positive group (p = 0.04). Thoracic computed tomography was performed in 42 patients. Testosterone levels were significantly lower in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia (p = 0.01). When FSH, LH and testosterone values were separated as low, normal and high, there was no difference in FSH and LH values (p = 1, p = 0.2). Testosterone levels were found significantly lower in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia (p < .001). Testosterone levels seem to decrease during acute COVID-19 infection, especially in the patient group with viral pneumonia.

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 44 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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