An international team of researchers has found that women are at considerably higher risk of developing long-term COVID compared to men. The respective findings were published in JAMA Network Open.

An analysis of data from more than 12,000 people who had COVID-19 at least six months before the study showed that women had 31 percent longer symptoms.

This gap is especially noticeable among middle-aged women. In the 40-54 age group, the risk of developing long-term COVID was 48 percent higher than in men in the same age group. Among women over 55, the difference was 34 percent. However, there were no significant differences between the sexes in the 18-39 age group.

Researchers assume that differences in immune system function may play a role in this phenomenon. Women initially have a more active immune response, which may contribute to more severe and prolonged inflammation. The hormone estrogen, which regulates immune function, also plays an important role. Decreased levels during perimenopause and menopause may increase the risk of long-term consequences of COVID-19 among women.

In addition, the study authors draw attention to the similarity of long-term COVID with autoimmune diseases, to which women are more prone. Research shows that patients with long-term COVID can develop antibodies that attack the body's own cells, worsening the symptoms.

According to researchers, the findings highlight the need for further research into the mechanisms of long-term COVID and the search for more effective methods of treating it, especially taking into account age and gender differences in risk.