• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

COVID-19: Baldness in Men May Be Associated With Increased Infection Risk

JacksinPA

Supporting Member
DP Veteran
Monthly Donator
Joined
Dec 3, 2017
Messages
26,290
Reaction score
16,771
Gender
Male
Political Leaning
Progressive
COVID-19: Baldness in Men May Be Associated With Increased Infection Risk - Dermatology Advisor

Male baldness may be a risk factor for symptomatic coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection, according to study data published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Compared with men of the same age with no hair loss, men with “severe” hair loss were significantly more likely to test positive for COVID-19.

Investigators assessed hair loss patterns in 1941 men hospitalized for COVID-19 using data from the UK Biobank, which houses the demographic and clinical information of more than 500,000 individuals. At Biobank intake, men were asked to categorize their hair loss using images adapted from the Hamilton-Norwood scale. The scale had 4 options: (1) “no hair loss”; (2) “slight hair loss”; (3) “moderate hair loss”; and (4) “severe hair loss.” Hair loss data were compared in patients with a positive COVID-19 test (n=336) and patients with a negative test (n=1605). COVID-19 test results were also extracted from the UK Biobank. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to assess the relationship between balding severity and the likelihood of testing positive for COVID-19. Models were adjusted for age, body mass index, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes.

Overall, increasing hair loss was positively correlated with COVID-19 infection. Of the 592 patients reporting no hair loss, 15.03% tested positive for COVID-19. Inpatients with “moderate” (n=551) and “severe” (n=394) hair loss, the percentage of positive tests increased to 18.15% and 20.05%, respectively. These trends persisted in regression models: patients who reported “severe” hair loss had significantly increased odds of a positive COVID-19 test compared with patients with no hair loss (adjusted odds ratio, 1.408; 95% CI, 1.004-1.972; P =.0468). However, patients with “slight” or “moderate” hair loss were not significantly more likely to test positive than patients with no hair loss.

Balding data was self-reported and reflects a limitation of the study, cited the study authors.
========================================================
Perhaps I'm lucky to have more hair than I know what to do with.
 
It doesn't appear that they properly controlled for age. Comparing mean values for age between the two groups and noting that they look similar is not the way to do that.
 
I am doomed. Been bald for years.
 
Bald men are more macho and less likely to wear a mask.
 
Professor X is in deep **** then.
 
Back
Top Bottom