dc.description.abstract | Background: Although women and men have the same prevalence, men with
COVID-19 are more at risk for worse outcomes and death, independent of age.
Methods: To observe the hyperinflammatory response regarding sex, we will measure
the levels of inflammatory cytokines: interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, tumor necrosis
factor-alpha (TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), IL-10, interferon-
gamma (IFN-γ), IL-8, transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), analyzed by
ELISA, in plasma of 130 COVID-19 patients at diagnosis and correlate them with clinical
parameters. Besides, we checked the quality of life of patients up to 3 months
after hospitalization.
Results: Pro-inflammatory IL-6 was significantly (p<0.01) increased in male COVID-19
patients compared to healthy male volunteers (4.7-fold) and female COVID-19 patients
(1.75-fold). IL-6 was positively correlated to INR, aPTT (p<0.001), and ferritin (p<0.05),
while INR with CRP (p<0.05). IL-8 was significantly increased in female COVID-19 patients
compared to healthy female volunteers (p<0.01, 2.5-fold) and male COVID-19 patients
(p<0.05). TNF-α was significantly (p<0.05) increased in male COVID-19 patients
compared to healthy male volunteers. MCP-1 and IFN-γ were significantly increased
in female COVID-19 patients compared to healthy female volunteers (p<0.01). Anti-inflammatory
TGF-β1 was decreased in COVID-19 patients regardless of gender. Most
patients were men (75%) with chronic disorders (59%, mostly hypertension). COVID-19
reduced their social (32%) and physical activities (34%) after 6 weeks of diagnosis, but
further on reduced in additional 3 months (social 55%) with depression (22%).
Conclusions: Inflammatory response is generally increased in COVID-19 patients
with specific cytokines in accordance with gender. | sr |