Men Have 62% Increased Risk of COVID-19 Associated Fatality

A new study published on September 23, 2020, found that being male proved to be an independent risk factor for a 62% increased risk of COVID-19 death, possibly related to them experiencing higher levels of inflammation. While most laboratory parameters were comparable between male and female patients with COVID-19, men had significantly higher inflammatory markers (IL-6, CRP, PCT, ferritin) across all phases of the disease.

"Men have higher death rates as well as more frequent ICU admissions and longer hospital stays, that are all associated with higher inflammatory parameters during all phases of COVID-19. "We need further studies on what exactly makes men more vulnerable to COVID-19", concluded Dr. Frank Hanses, University Hospital Regensburg, Germany.

"We do not yet know which biological or possibly social factors lead to these marked differences."