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Sex-based differences in severity and mortality in COVID-19
Mustafa Alwani1,2, Aksam Yassin1,3,4, Raed M Al-Zoubi1,5
1Surgical Research Section, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
Reviews in Medical Virology
|March 1, 2021
Summary
Men experience more severe outcomes and higher mortality from COVID-19, a trend seen in other viral infections. Understanding these sex differences in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is crucial for developing targeted treatments.
Area of Science:
- * Epidemiology
- * Infectious Diseases
- * Sex Differences in Health
Background:
- * The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, exhibits a notable male bias in disease severity and mortality.
- * This observation aligns with patterns seen in previous coronavirus outbreaks (SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV) and other viral infections.
- * Understanding sex-based disparities is critical for public health responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To analyze sex-disaggregated epidemiological data for COVID-19.
- * To explore potential biological and behavioral factors contributing to sexual dimorphism in COVID-19 outcomes.
- * To inform strategies for risk stratification and therapeutic interventions.
Main Methods:
- * Review and synthesis of published epidemiological studies reporting COVID-19 outcomes by sex.
- * Analysis of sex-disaggregated data on infection rates, disease severity, and mortality.
- * Discussion of potential underlying biological mechanisms and societal factors.
Main Results:
- * Consistent evidence shows higher rates of severe COVID-19 illness and death among males compared to females.
- * Data indicates significant sex-based differences in various epidemiological parameters of the pandemic.
- * Potential contributing factors include hormonal differences, genetic predispositions, and behavioral patterns.
Conclusions:
- * The male predominance in COVID-19 severity and mortality is a significant epidemiological finding.
- * Further research into the biological and social determinants of these sex differences is warranted.
- * Findings can guide the development of sex-specific prevention and treatment strategies for COVID-19.
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