Sex‐based differences in severity and mortality in COVID‐19
Mustafa Alwani, Aksam Yassin, Raed M. Al‐Zoubi, Omar M. Aboumarzouk, Joanne E. Nettleship, Daniel Kelly, Ahmad R. Al‐Qudimat, Ridwan Shabsigh
Abstract
The current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic caused by novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has a male bias in severity and mortality. This is consistent with previous coronavirus pandemics such as SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, and viral infections in general. Here, we discuss the sex-disaggregated epidemiological data for COVID-19 and highlight underlying differences that may explain the sexual dimorphism to help inform risk stratification strategies and therapeutic options.
Topics & Concepts
PandemicCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)CoronavirusEpidemiology2019-20 coronavirus outbreakMiddle East respiratory syndrome coronavirusBetacoronavirusPneumoniaMedicineSexual dimorphismVirologyDiseaseInfectious disease (medical specialty)Internal medicineOutbreakSex and Gender in HealthcareClimate Change and Health ImpactsCOVID-19 Impact on Reproduction