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01-08-2021 | COVID-19 | Review

Sex hormones, autoimmunity and gender disparity in COVID-19

Authors: Hussain Ahmed Raza, Parikshit Sen, Omaima Anis Bhatti, Latika Gupta

Published in: Rheumatology International | Issue 8/2021

Abstract

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has majorly contributed to massive and widespread mortality. Epidemiological data strongly indicates a sex-based disparity in COVID-19 clinical outcomes, with women having lower infection and hospitalisation rates, coupled with better prognosis and lesser mortality. This disparity may be explained by several mechanisms including differences in innate and adaptive immune responses, genetic factors, and an interplay between sex hormones and immune effectors, as well as gender-specific behaviour differences. These pathways, particularly the immunological divergence in response to viral infection, could potentially influence not only COVID-19 pathogenesis and disease course, but also the response to antiviral drugs and vaccines. Furthermore, factors that confer a protective advantage against COVID-19 may be exploited to develop therapeutic strategies to improve clinical outcomes in COVID-19.

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Title: Sex hormones, autoimmunity and gender disparity in COVID-19
Authors: Hussain Ahmed Raza
Parikshit Sen
Omaima Anis Bhatti
Latika Gupta
Publication date: 01-08-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: COVID-19
Estrogens
Testosterone
Published in: Rheumatology International / Issue 8/2021
Print ISSN: 0172-8172
Electronic ISSN: 1437-160X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-021-04873-9

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