Background: A potential role of testosterone among sex hormones has been hypothesized in identifying sex-related differences in the clinical consequences of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Due to the high global prevalence of hypogonadism, the relationship between hypogonadism and SARS-CoV-2 infection outcomes deserves an in-depth study.Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship of serum testosterone with other laboratory parameters on the prognosis of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) in male patients with COVID-19 diagnosis. Materials and methods:This prospective cohort study included 358 male patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and 92 COVID-19 negative patients admitted to the urology outpatient clinics as a control group. The COVID-19 patients were divided into groups according to prognosis (mild-moderate and severe group), lung involvement in chest computed tomography (<50% and >50%), intensive care unit needs, and survival. Results:The measured serum total testosterone level of the COVID-19 patients group was found to be significantly lower than that of the control group (median, 140 ng/dl; range, 0.21-328, 322 ng/dl; range, median, 125-674, p < 0.001, respectively). The serum TT levels were statistically significantly lower in severe COVID-19 patients compared to mild-moderate COVID-19 patients (median, 85.1 ng/dl; range, 0.21-532, median, 315 ng/dl; range, 0.88-486, p < 0.001, respectively), in COVID-19 patients in need of intensive care compared to COVID-19 patients who did not need intensive care (median, 64.0 ng/dl; range, 0.21-337, median, 286 ng/dl; range, 0.88-532 p < 0.001, respectively), and in COVID-19 patients who died compared to survivors (median, 82.9 ng/dl; range, 2.63-165, median, 166 ng/dl; range, 0.21-532, p < 0.001, respectively).

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Cannabis abuse is a major public health problem in The Gambia and other parts of West Africa, and the rise in the incidence of psychotic illness reflects the increased background use of cannabis by the local population. A case-control study was performed to determine the association between psychosis and cannabis abuse in The Gambia and the importance of other risk factors. Out of 234 patients admitted to Campama Psychiatric Unit over 12 months, 210 (90%) were enrolled in a case-control study. Urine was tested for cannabinoid substances and 38% were positive compared with 12% of matched non-psychotic control subjects. Analysis of the matched pairs showed that a positive urinary cannabinoid test, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, travel to Europe and family history of mental illness were all significant risk factors for psychotic illness; Koranic education reduced the risk. There was a positive correlation among the psychotic patients between a positive urinary cannabinoid test and the use of alcohol, ataya tea and cigarette smoking; a family history of mental illness showed a negative correlation.