COVID-19 Deadlier For Men: Reduces Testosterone, Causing More Deaths
COVID-19 can possibly deteriorate serum testosterone level in infected male patients. Such low testosterone levels have a significant increased risk for the ICU and mortality in patients. Testosterone is associated with the immune system of respiratory organs and low levels of testosterone might increase the risk of respiratory infections.
COVID-19 has an erratic impact pattern on patients and scientists are still trying to understand the exact implications of contracting the disease.
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In a new understanding, a study now suggests that the increased deaths observed in males due to COVID-19 might have something to do with reduced testosterone levels in the patients.
Published in the journal Taylor & Francis, the research has been conducted by a team of scientists from the University of Mersin School of Medicine, Turkey. The study concludes Covid-19 can possibly deteriorate ¡°serum testosterone level¡± in infected male patients. Such low testosterone levels have a ¡°significant increased risk for the ICU and mortality in patients.¡±
(Representative Image: Reuters)
The study examined a total of 221 male patients of over 18 years of age who had been hospitalised with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2. The team of scientists divided the patients into 3 groups: asymptomatic patients (46), symptomatic patients (129) in the internal medicine unit (IMU), and patients (46) in the intensive care unit (ICU).
COVID-19 and male impact
"Testosterone is associated with the immune system of respiratory organs, and low levels of testosterone might increase the risk of respiratory infections," lead author Selahittin Cayan mentions in the study.
The results of the study were found to be in line with this. The research showed that as total testosterone level at baseline decreased, the probability of patients to be in ICU as well as their chances of mortality increased significantly.
(Representative Image: Reuters)
Scientists also found that the mean total testosterone level was ¡°significantly lower¡± in the ICU group than in the asymptomatic group as well as the IMU group. The mean FSH level (follicle stimulating hormone), on the other hand, was significantly higher in the ICU group than in the asymptomatic group.
The findings reflect an important pattern and can help doctors across the world diagnose COVID-19 patients accordingly. As per Prof Cayan, treating testosterone levels might control the deaths due to COVID-19.