[COVID-19: a gendered disease? Possible interpretations and knowledge limitations]

Area of Science:

• Medical Science
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Long-standing evidence of gender differences in disease susceptibility, clinical presentation, and treatment response is often underestimated.
• The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the critical importance of gender medicine, revealing significant sex-based disparities in epidemiological data.
• Male populations exhibited more unfavorable outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To emphasize the necessity of integrating gender-specific approaches in clinical practice.
• To highlight the role of gender medicine in improving health promotion and patient outcomes.
• To underscore the potential benefits for healthcare system sustainability through a gender-based approach.

Main Methods:

• Epidemiological analysis of COVID-19 data to identify gender-specific trends.
• Review of known gender differences across various diseases.
• Discussion of potential underlying mechanisms including socio-behavioral, immune, and viral factors.

Main Results:

• COVID-19 data revealed significant and multiple gender differences, with males experiencing more severe outcomes.
• Underlying mechanisms for these differences are complex and multifactorial, requiring further investigation.
• A gender-based approach is essential for optimizing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Conclusions:

• A gender-based approach in clinical practice, particularly highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, is mandatory.
• Implementing gender medicine can enhance diagnostic and therapeutic effectiveness, leading to improved patient health.
• Adopting gender-specific strategies contributes to better patient care and the sustainability of national health systems.