Women Face Higher Risk of Long COVID, Study Finds
Women are at a significantly higher risk of developing long COVID compared to men, according to new research published in JAMA Network Open on January 22. The study, led by Dr. Dimpy P. Shah from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, analyzed data from over 12,000 adults as part of the National Institutes of Health's Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery-Adult cohort.
The findings revealed that female sex is strongly associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing long COVID. In a primary analysis accounting for demographic and clinical factors, women had a 31 percent higher risk of long COVID compared to men (relative risk [RR], 1.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06 to 1.62). A reduced model that considered only age, race, and ethnicity showed an even higher risk for women (RR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.17 to 1.77).
Notably, the increased risk was consistent across most age groups except for individuals aged 18 to 39, where the difference between sexes was not statistically significant (RR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.72 to 1.49). Among nonpregnant participants, the overall risk for women was even more pronounced, with an associated relative risk of 1.50 (95% CI, 1.27 to 1.77).
The study also highlighted a potential link between menopause and long COVID risk. Women aged 40 to 54, whether menopausal or not, exhibited a higher likelihood of developing long COVID compared to men. For menopausal women, the relative risk was 1.42 (95% CI, 0.99 to 2.03), while for nonmenopausal women, it was 1.45 (95% CI, 1.15 to 1.83).
These findings add to growing evidence of sex-based differences in post-viral illnesses, particularly long COVID. "Understanding the mechanisms of sex differences can provide preventive and management strategies for not only long COVID but also other postviral illnesses," the authors noted.
The study underscores the need for tailored approaches to long COVID research and treatment, with a focus on addressing the unique challenges faced by women in managing this complex and often debilitating condition.