A gendered magnifying glass on COVID-19

Biagioni, Benedetta; Vivarelli, Emanuele; Parronchi, Paola

doi:10.1186/s12948-020-00129-2

Cited by 23 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 84 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…The systematic review and meta-analysis from Galbadage et al [ 12 ] showed that men are more likely to die from COVID-19 than women. Although a clear explanation of this association has not been established yet, it has been suggested that some biological and immunological pathways can play an essential role in the differential behavior of COVID-19 [ 13 ]. Some socio-behavioral and cultural aspects can also explain the more unfavorable scenario for men [ 14 , 15 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A survival analysis of COVID-19 in the Mexican population

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background At present, the Americas report the largest number of cases of COVID-19 worldwide. In this region, Mexico is the third country with most deaths (20,781 total deaths). A sum that may be explained by the high proportion of people over 50 and the high rate of chronic diseases. The aim of this analysis is to investigate the risk factors associated with COVID-19 deaths in Mexican population using survival analysis. Methods Our analysis includes all confirmed COVID-19 cases contained in the dataset published by the Epidemiological Surveillance System for Viral Respiratory Diseases of the Mexican Ministry of Health. We applied survival analysis to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the Mexican population. From this analysis, we plotted Kaplan-Meier curves, and constructed a Cox proportional hazard model. Results The analysis included the register of 16,752 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with mean age 46.55 ± 15.55 years; 58.02% (n = 9719) men, and 9.37% (n = 1569) deaths. Male sex, older age, chronic kidney disease, pneumonia, hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, intubation, and health care in public health services, were independent factors increasing the risk of death due to COVID-19 (p < 0.001). Conclusions The risk of dying at any time during follow-up was clearly higher for men, individuals in older age groups, people with chronic kidney disease, and people hospitalized in public health services.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A survival analysis of COVID-19 in the Mexican population

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In comparison with disease occurrence, approximately similar distribution is detected among males and females at different age groups according to the WHO case-based surveillance system as of April 18, 2020[ 32 ]. However, from data on today in COVID-19, not only the progression of disease severity, but also mortality and fatality rates necessity to be clarified by age and, in addition by sex[ 33 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…XCI is recognized during embryonic development and regularly preserved throughout the life[ 61 , 62 ]. However, a part of X-codified genes (almost 15%-23%) can discharge, fully or partly, from XCI and this privilege is suitable for those genes located in the pseudoautosomal regions (PAR) 1 and 2[ 32 , 63 ]. The ACE2 gene is located within PAR1 and the influence may not inevitably be an increased expression of ACE2 in women.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The ACE2 gene is located within PAR1 and the influence may not inevitably be an increased expression of ACE2 in women. Male susceptibility to COVID-19 infection may be additional boosted by X-linked inheritance of genetic pleomorphisms as loci of both androgen receptors (ARs) and ACE2 genes are positioned on the X chromosome[ 32 ]. Since ACE2 expression is originated in the testes (specially in Leydig cells)[ 5 , 64 ] serum luteinizing hormone (LH) level is significantly increased.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Exploration of sex-specific and age-dependent COVID-19 fatality rate in Bangladesh population

Al-Bari¹,

Hossain²,

Zahan³

2021

WJR

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), a respiratory tract infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global health emergency and a threat the entire world. The COVID-19 shows a wide spectrum of clinical presentations, severity, and fatality rates. Although the fatal outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic are evident in all age groups, the most devastating impact on the health consequences and death from COVID-19 are associated with older adults, especially older men. COVID-19 pandemic is affecting different countries in the world especially in the 65+ years age male group. In fact, several genes involved into the regulation of the immune system are strategically placed on the X-chromosome and trigger a gendered mediated antiviral fight. The aim of this study is to explore and exploit whether a relationship exists between male sex and COVID-19 mortality and the relationship is age dependent. Herein we discuss the possible role of physiological and immunological sex differences into the higher morbidity and mortality of SARS-CoV-2 between females and males. Deciphering gender differences in COVID-19 offers a window into the principles of immunity against SARS-CoV-2 infection and this information on ageing dependent gender disparity might contribute to our current understanding of COVID-19 infection and disease treatment.

show abstract

“…Interestingly, a recent case-series has shown that four young males with severe COVID-19 harbored rare TLR7 variants, which hampered interferon responses upon TLR7 engagement (60). Since TLR7 is located on the X-chromosome and is expressed bi-allelically, it has been suggested as one of the reasons for the sex bias, albeit in opposite direction, seen in AD and COVID-19 (61). These claims are yet to be proved, but it is becoming more apparent that a coordinated immune response is key for successfully controlling SARS-CoV-2 infection (62).…”

Section: Autoimmunity-associated Genes Providing Potential Insights Imentioning

confidence: 99%

Host Genetics at the Intersection of Autoimmunity and COVID-19: A Potential Key for Heterogeneous COVID-19 Severity

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

COVID-19 presentation is very heterogeneous across cases, and host factors are at the forefront for the variables affecting the disease manifestation. The immune system has emerged as a key determinant in shaping the outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection. It is mainly the deleterious unconstrained immune response, rather than the virus itself, which leads to severe cases of COVID-19 and the associated mortality. Genetic susceptibility to dysregulated immune response is highly likely to be among the host factors for adverse disease outcome. Given that such genetic susceptibility has also been observed in autoimmune diseases (ADs), a number of critical questions remain unanswered; whether individuals with ADs have a significantly different risk for COVID-19–related complications compared to the general population, and whether studies on the genetics of ADs can shed some light on the host factors in COVID-19. In this perspective, we discuss the host genetic factors, which have been under investigation in association with COVID-19 severity. We touch upon the intricate link between autoimmunity and COVID-19 pathophysiology. We put forth a number of autoimmune susceptibility genes, which have the potential to be additional host genetic factors for modifying the severity of COVID-19 presentation. In summary, host genetics at the intersection of ADs and COVID-19 may serve as a source for understanding the heterogeneity of COVID-19 severity, and hence, potentially holds a key in achieving effective strategies in risk group identification, as well as effective treatments.

show abstract

A gendered magnifying glass on COVID-19

Cited by 23 publications

References 84 publications

A survival analysis of COVID-19 in the Mexican population

A survival analysis of COVID-19 in the Mexican population

Exploration of sex-specific and age-dependent COVID-19 fatality rate in Bangladesh population

Host Genetics at the Intersection of Autoimmunity and COVID-19: A Potential Key for Heterogeneous COVID-19 Severity

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About