Women Face Higher Long-Term COVID-19 Risks, According to Research Involving Over 12,000 Subjects
A new study published in JAMA Network Open has found that female individuals are at a higher risk of developing long COVID compared to their male counterparts. The research suggests that there may be a biological explanation for this disparity, although further studies are needed to identify specific factors.
Long COVID, an infection-associated chronic condition caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection, was officially defined in 2024 by a group of experts working with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). The definition encompasses over 200 possible symptoms, highlighting the complexity of managing the condition.
The latest study, led by researchers from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), analyzed data from 12,276 participants in the RECOVER-Adult cohort. Even after accounting for factors such as age, hospitalization, and vaccination status, the data showed that females were 1.31 times more likely to develop long COVID.
The finding underscores the need for further investigations into the biological mechanisms contributing to the higher risk in females. Possible explanations could include hormonal differences, immune function, or other factors. The study also revealed that females aged 40 to 54 were at a higher risk of long COVID compared to younger age groups.
The research adds to mounting evidence suggesting a link between COVID-19 and a substantial increase in the number of ME/CFS cases. A recent study found that the incidence of ME/CFS is now 15 times higher than pre-pandemic levels, with people who have had COVID almost eight times as likely to develop the chronic condition.
As the pandemic nears its fifth year, understanding the long-term effects of COVID-19 on individuals becomes increasingly important. The discovery of these associations could pave the way for better therapies or cures and help prioritize research efforts.
The search results do not provide specific information about the biological factors contributing to a higher risk of long COVID in females from this study. However, broader research suggests that hormonal differences, immune response variability, genetic factors, and social and behavioral factors could play a role in gender differences in susceptibility to or severity of long COVID.
The study can be accessed in JAMA Network Open.
- The study published in JAMA Network Open has revealed that females are at a higher risk of developing long COVID compared to males, providing a foundation for further research in medicine and science.
- Long COVID, a chronic medical-condition caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection, has been officially defined by a group of experts from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), requiring extensive research and health-and-wellness focused solutions.
- The latest research, led by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), indicates that women aged 40 to 54 are particularly susceptible to developing long COVID, emphasizing the need for an in-depth analysis of chronic diseases and their impact on womens-health.
- The increased prevalence of ME/CFS cases, which has been linked to COVID-19, highlights the importance of mental-health and social-behavioral research in understanding the long-term effects of the pandemic on health-and-wellness.
- As the pandemic progresses, understanding the biological and social factors contributing to gender differences in long COVID susceptibility is essential for developing effective therapies and cures, prioritizing research efforts in fields such as engineering, medicine, and science.
- A better understanding of the complex factors contributing to long COVID can help promote progress in health-and-wellness, ensuring that people at higher risk of chronic diseases and conditions receive the appropriate care, support, and treatment they need.
