Hair Loss and Androgen's Role in the Era of COVID-19

The new coronavirus (SARS-COV2), which causes coronavirus illness, has expanded globally, impacting millions of individuals. In comparison to female patients, males have a higher prevalence, morbidity, and death rate from this condition, according to international statistics. Androgens have been implicated in the pathophysiology of COVID-19. This review's objective is to explain the potential connection between the pathophysiology of androgen and the infectivity mechanism of the coronavirus as well as the association between SARS-COV2 and hair disorders. This might assist in clarifying androgen's involvement in COVID-19 prognosis and therapy.

Stress, anxiety, depression and long COVID symptoms

Background: The development of depression and anxiety symptoms during long COVID may partly result from the biopsychosocial effects of COVID-19 that impact mental health, rather than from the infection alone. Aim: The present study examined the association of anxiety, depression, stress, and psychological distress levels with sociodemographic factors and symptom severity during and three months after the acute phase of COVID-19. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 119 participants with a positive SARS-CoV-2 qPCR test. Three months after the acute phase of infection, participants completed an online survey to collect clinical information and sociodemographic data, followed by completion of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress scales. Results: During and after infection, fatigue was the most frequently reported symptom. After the acute phase of COVID-19, substantial numbers of participants presented moderate to severe psychological distress (28.5%), severe to extremely severe depression (26.05%), and severe to extremely severe stress (31.09%). Female patients presented higher stress scores than males, while individuals who reported having lost a loved one presented high psychological distress, anxiety, and depression. The presence of physical symptoms after COVID-19 and other factors such as being a woman, being married, having children, or living with someone who suffers from a disease increased vulnerability to depression, stress, and anxiety. Conclusions: There are psychological consequences for survivors of COVID-19 associated with sociodemographic factors. Clinical strategies are needed to provide mental health care for individuals with long COVID symptoms. © 2022 IACFS/ME.

Stressors and Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Vulnerable Hispanic Caregivers and Children.

Psychological sequelae are important elements of the burden of disease among caregivers. Recognition of the impact of adversity and stress biomarkers is important to prevent mental health problems that affect rearing practices and child well-being. This cross-sectional study explored social determinants of health (SDoH)-mediated stressors during COVID-19 and risks for mental health problems among caregivers of children with prenatal Zika virus exposure. Twenty-five Hispanic caregivers completed surveys assessing SDoH vulnerabilities, COVID-exposures and impact, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology, and provided a hair sample for cortisol concentration (HCC). Most caregivers had low education, household income < $15,000/year, and were unemployed. Stressors included disrupted child education and specialized services, and food insecurity. While most reported PTSD symptomatology, multivariate linear regression models adjusted for the caregiver's age, education, and the child's sex, revealed that caregivers with high symptomatology had significantly lower HCC than those with low symptomatology and those with food insecurity had significantly higher HCC than participants without food insecurity. The impact of COVID-19 on daily life was characterized on average between worse and better, suggesting variability in susceptibility and coping mechanisms, with the most resilient identifying community support and spirituality resources. SDoH-mediators provide opportunities to prevent adverse mental health outcomes for caregivers and their children.

Hydroxychloroquine for granuloma annulare: A case report on secondary hair growth in alopecia universalis.

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease resulting in non-scarring hair loss. Alopecia areata can progress to become alopecia totalis (loss of hair from the entire scalp) or alopecia universalis (loss of hair form the entire body), with the progression estimated to range from 7% to 30%. There are no universally proven therapies that both induce and sustain remission, and furthermore, the course of alopecia areata tends to be unpredictable, with ~80% of patients achieving spontaneous remission within 1 year. We herein present the case of a 61-year-old female who presented with a 20-year history of alopecia universalis, and biopsy confirmed widespread granuloma annulare. Hydroxychloroquine was initiated to treat her granuloma annulare, with subsequent significant hair regrowth on her scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and arms. A review of the literature is presented showing that hydroxychloroquine has variable success in treatment of alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, and alopecia universalis.

Relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and hearing loss: A mini-review

The most reported symptoms of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) were initially fever, dry cough, and sore throat. However, as we continue to review the literature, the loss of taste and smell were also added as clinical symptoms of the novel SARS-CoV-2. At present, the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the auditory system is still not well-understood. This study is mini-review and aims to find out more about the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and hearing loss through review of the literature. From our findings, hearing loss is the primary otological symptom of SARS-CoV-2, followed by tinnitus and dizziness. In conclusion, SARS-CoV-2 may have an effect on our auditory system, but due to the small sample sizes in the existing literature, further prospective studies are warranted to determine the relationship between the virus and hearing loss. Copyright © The Author(s) 2022.

Effective recruitment strategies utilized in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic to examine dietary practices and colorectal cancer screening practices of Blacks in New York City

African Americans have the highest colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates of all racial groups in the U.S. Factors that may be contributing to these high rates, however, remain poorly understood. Specifically, this study assessed the relationship between dietary habits and colorectal cancer screening behavior and intent among individuals who identify as Black, with their ethnicity as African-American, Caribbean, and African. There are many factors that influence dietary habits, and a salient factor is culture. Many studies have experienced challenges recruiting in communities of color for various reasons. The purpose of this presentation is to describe recruitment methods utilized for this study in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to discuss challenges, strategies that were implemented and lessons learned that can inform and improve future recruitment efforts. Effective recruitment strategies included partnership, consistent engagement, and meeting people in places where they frequent and felt comfortable. Utilizing faith-based locations, barbershops, hair salons, and pivotal community locations allowed individuals to trust the researchers, and also eliminated the need to retain study subjects over a period of time, due to on-site data collection. Though our findings are limited to Black families in predominantly minority neighborhoods, we have identified Cicely successful strategies for this specific high-risk population and potentially similar others.

Systemic lupus erythematosus in a 36-year old Filipino male after SARS-COV- 2 vaccination

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a multisystem autoimmune disease more common in females, is associated with autoantibodies against different autoantigens forming immune complexes. Inadequate removal of these complexes from the host triggers inflammatory response which causes tissue damage. Some antiviral vaccines have been associated with the onset of SLE. Few cases of SLE occurring after SARS-CoV- 2 vaccines have been reported. Herein, we describe a case of new-onset SLE associated with COVID-19 vaccine. Case Summary: A previously well 36-year- old male with unremarkable family history of autoimmune disease started to develop muscle and joint pains, hair thinning, and ecchymoses 2 months after receiving second dose of inactivated SARS-CoV- 2 vaccine. He was subsequently admitted after consultation due to thrombocytopenia (platelet count of 58). He was given high dose steroid with tapering dose during the entire 14 days admission with significant increase of platelet count after 72 hours of repeat complete blood count. He went consult at rheumatology clinic a month after due to persistent joint and muscle pains, and progression of hair fall with associated facial rash, oral ulcers, easy fatigability and weight loss. Physical exam disclosed an ambulatory well-built male with normal vital signs, alopecia, malar rash, oral ulcers, joint tenderness and no objective muscle weakness. Complete blood counts and Anti-smith were within normal. Urinalysis, Antinuclear antibody (ANA), Anti-SSA, Anti-SSB, complement factor 3 (C3), and Anti-dsDNA were positive. He was managed with tapering prednisone and hydroxychloroquine with significant improvement at time of this report. Conclusion(s): Development of autoimmune reaction following COVID-19 vaccine has been described extensively;however, evidence of autoimmunity following vaccination seems to be lacking at present. Pathomechanisms include defective elimination and/or control of self-reactive lymphocytes resulting in over-stimulation of the immune system leading to clinical manifestations strikingly similar to the infection itself. Management approach to these autoimmune reactions address the immune hyper-stimulation with immunosuppressive or immuno-modulating agents including steroids and hydroxychloroquine.

Alopecia Areata after COVID-19 Vaccines.

Introduction: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common autoimmune disease characterized by non-scarring hair loss. New onsets of AA have been associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Various skin diseases have already been reported because of the vaccines (the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the AstraZeneca vaccine) against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Case Presentation: We report 5 cases of AA after COVID-19 vaccination. The trend shown by patients in this study is an initial worsening after the first dose of the vaccine with the stability of the disease even with subsequent doses. However, it is worth highlighting the case reported by one of our patients who suffered a "booster effect" of the disease with progressive and worsening alopecia with each vaccine booster. Discussion: The possible mechanism of action lies in the ability of COVID-19 vaccines to induce spike protein, which can lead to molecular mimicry phenomena. In an organism predisposed to autoimmunity, the mRNA vaccine acts as a trigger. Furthermore, we would like to point out how even cytokine storm and simple oxidative stress from SARS-CoV-2 infection can induce not only AA but also other types of hair loss such as telogen effluvium. Thus, this highlights how complex and multifaceted the phenomenon is.