Sex Steroid Hormones Are Associated With Mortality In COVID-19 Patients

This study examined the relationship between sex steroid hormone levels and mortality in 40 COVID-19 patients at Amsterdam UMC. It found that lower levels of total and free testosterone were linked to higher mortality in men, while lower levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were associated with worse outcomes in both genders. Most men had testosterone deficiency, but elevated estradiol in women did not correlate with outcomes. The study suggested that low testosterone in critically ill patients might result from cytokine or corticosteroid effects, indicating a potential role for hormone replacement therapies in COVID-19 treatment. However, the study's retrospective design and small sample size were limitations, and further research was needed.