Men more likely than women to develop COVID-19 pneumonia, research suggests

A examine of sex-based variations within the danger of COVID-19 pneumonia finds that males had been extra prone to develop the complication than girls (12.0% vs 7.0%) throughout the declared pandemic interval and the early months of the endemic section of the illness in Mexico.

Printed in Scientific Experiencesthe examine relies on nationwide COVID-19 epidemiologic surveillance information on greater than 1.6 million grownup COVID-19 sufferers analyzed by Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social–led researchers from February 2020 to August 2023. Of all sufferers, 53.7% had been girls, and the common age was 43.6 years.

“Pneumonia is a typical and extreme complication of COVID-19, typically requiring hospitalization and intensive medical care,” the researchers wrote, noting that males are at elevated danger for extreme COVID-19. “Correct danger evaluation for pneumonia improvement in COVID-19 instances is related for medical decision-making and useful resource allocation and supplies precious insights into the altering dynamics of the illness.”

Males at 3.3% increased danger

The chance of pneumonia was 9.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]9.2% to 9.4%) general, 7.0% (95% CI, 6.9% to 7.1%) for girls, and 12.0% (95% CI, 11.9% to 12.1%) for males. This sex-based disparity was persistently seen all through all phases of the pandemic, together with the endemic section.

After adjusting for age, major viral genotype at symptom onset, and underlying medical circumstances, males had been at a 3.3% increased danger for pneumonia than had been girls (danger ratio [RR]1.033; 95% CI, 1.032 to 1.034).

By predominant SARS-CoV-2 variant, the danger of pneumonia was highest with the wild-type virus (21.9%), adopted by Delta B.1.617.2 (16.0%), B.1.1.519 (12.7%), and Omicron B.1.1.529 (2.5%), BQ1 (2.2%), and XBB.1.5 (2.0%). Amongst traits related to extra extreme COVID-19, the presence of persistent kidney illness was related to the best improve within the danger of pneumonia (RR, 1.166).

Function of estrogen, X chromosome

Intercourse-based disparities in COVID-19 severity seem like influenced by a fancy interplay of genetic, hormonal, immunologic, and different components, the researchers famous.

Estrogens, that are predominantly current in girls, have been linked to an array of immunoprotective results.

“Estrogens, that are predominantly current in girls, have been linked to an array of immunoprotective results,” they wrote. “These hormones can stimulate each innate and adaptive immune responses, augmenting the manufacturing of antiviral interferons and cytokines.”

“Conversely, males, who’ve decrease estrogen ranges however increased ranges of testosterone, may expertise a relatively subdued immune response, doubtlessly decreasing the energy of their protection towards the virus,” they added.

Girls’s typically extra vigorous immune responses, doubtlessly additionally influenced by the presence of the X chromosome and completely different expression ranges of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), could assist them get rid of pathogens extra effectively than males however also can elevate their danger of the cytokine storm implicated in extreme COVID-19, the researchers mentioned.

The examine outcomes could assist inform healthcare planning and the event of insurance policies geared toward decreasing the results of COVID-19 on weak teams: “Public well being campaigns and academic assets must be designed to lift consciousness of this heightened danger amongst males and people with comorbid circumstances, encouraging them to hunt healthcare promptly in the event that they exhibit COVID-19 signs.”

“Insurance policies selling excessive vaccination protection and well timed booster pictures for all people, no matter sufferers’ intercourse, stay important,” they concluded. “Lastly, the discovering that persistent kidney illness is a major danger issue for pneumonia in COVID-19 sufferers highlights the need for built-in healthcare administration.”