The relationship between sex steroids (E2, progesterone, and AMH) levels and severity and fatality of COVID-19: A systematic review

Sex steroids are powerful modulators of the immune system and they may affect the immune response and inflammatory consequences of COVID-19. This systematic review aims to explore the impact of sex steroids on COVID-19 mortality and complications. We looked up the keywords of the study in Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science. All related original articles published in English, as of October 16, 2021, were reviewed to be included in our research. Concerns regarding the effect of sex hormones on COVID-19, eight full texts have been identified for the conclusion. In these studies, the relationship between estradiol and COVID-19 mortality has been mentioned. The most significant findings were the higher COVID-19 mortality rate in men, compared to women;also, in menopausal women compared to younger women and who received estradiol. In two studies, oral contraceptive pills had a protective effect on the morbidity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In a randomized controlled trial, subcutaneous injection of progesterone in hospitalized men significantly reduced their symptoms and need for oxygen therapy. Hormone replacement therapy was positively associated with reducing COVID-19 symptoms. Although the results were insufficient for a conclusion, this study represents estrogen as an appropriate pharmacological method for preventing and diminishing the inflammation related to COVID-19 disease. However, future prospective studies and clinical trials are needed to clarify and approve this protective effect.

Changes in sexual activities, function, and satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic era: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Little is known about the impact of the coronavirus on sexual behavior, function, and satisfaction. Aim: The aim of the present study was to systematically review people's sexual function and behaviors and their changes in sexual activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Comprehensive searches in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were conducted with keywords in accordance with MeSH terms: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, coronavirus, sexual health, sexual function, sexual dysfunctions, sexuality, sexual orientation, sexual activities, and premarital sex. Two reviewers independently assessed full-text articles according to predefined criteria: original design, English studies, and investigating either the general population or sexual minorities. Results: Risk of bias in the studies was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, and data were pooled via random effects meta-analyses. We utilized the standardized mean difference to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexual activity, functioning, and satisfaction. We included 19 studies in the analysis and 11 studies in the meta-analysis, with a sample size of 12 350. To investigate sexual activity changes, a sample size of 8838 was entered into the subgroup analysis, which showed a significant decrease in both genders (5821 women, P < .033; 3017 men, P < .008). A subgroup meta-analysis showed that the sexual function of men and women during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly declined (3974 women, P < .001; 1427 men, P < .001). Sexual desire and arousal decreased in both genders, though mainly in women. In investigating sexual satisfaction changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, a meta-analysis with a sample size of 2711 showed a significant decrease (P < .001). The most indicative changes in sexual behaviors during the pandemic were the increase in masturbating and usage of sex toys. Greater COVID-19 knowledge was associated with lower masturbation, oral sex, and vaginal sex. The more protective behaviors were associated with less hugging, kissing, cuddling, genital touching, watching porn with a partner, and vaginal sex. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic led to increased challenges and changes for individuals' sexual behaviors. Efforts for preventive strategies should therefore be concentrated between pandemics, while ensuring that there is information available to the population during a pandemic for help in times of psychological distress or crisis.

The relationship between sex steroids (E2, progesterone, and AMH) levels and severity and fatality of COVID-19: A systematic review.

Sex steroids are powerful modulators of the immune system and they may affect the immune response and inflammatory consequences of COVID-19. This systematic review aims to explore the impact of sex steroids on COVID-19 mortality and complications. We looked up the keywords of the study in Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science. All related original articles published in English, as of October 16, 2021, were reviewed to be included in our research. Concerns regarding the effect of sex hormones on COVID-19, eight full texts have been identified for the conclusion. In these studies, the relationship between estradiol and COVID-19 mortality has been mentioned. The most significant findings were the higher COVID-19 mortality rate in men, compared to women; also, in menopausal women compared to younger women and who received estradiol. In two studies, oral contraceptive pills had a protective effect on the morbidity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In a randomized controlled trial, subcutaneous injection of progesterone in hospitalized men significantly reduced their symptoms and need for oxygen therapy. Hormone replacement therapy was positively associated with reducing COVID-19 symptoms. Although the results were insufficient for a conclusion, this study represents estrogen as an appropriate pharmacological method for preventing and diminishing the inflammation related to COVID-19 disease. However, future prospective studies and clinical trials are needed to clarify and approve this protective effect.

Demographic and clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients admitted to a university hospital in the west of Iran: a retrospective study in the third wave. Características demográficas y clínicas y resultados de pacientes con COVID-19 ingresados en un hospital universitario en el oeste de Irán: Un estudio retrospectivo durante la tercera Ola

Background COVID-19 is a disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The characteristics of this infectious disease vary from a country to another and from one peak to the next. The aim of the present study was to describe the COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Kermanshah, a city in the west of Iran, in the third peak of the disease and to identify in-hospital mortality determinants in this disease. Methods: In this retrospective study, the clinical and demographic characteristics, laboratory findings, prescribed treatments and outcome of all COVID-19 patients (definitive, suspected, and probable) were collected from the medical records department of Farabi Hospital affiliated with Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran from 22 October to 20 November 2020. Results: In total, 665 COVID-19 patients (265 females and 400 males, mean age: 58.7 years) were enrolled, including 479 confirmed, 15 probable, and 30 suspected cases. About 84% of the patients presented with low oxygen saturation levels. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (15%), diabetes (10%), and cardiovascular disease (3%). The median (IQR) length of hospital stay was 6 (Nojomi et al., 2021;Flores-Vega et al., 2022;Fattahi et al., 2021;Cusinato et al., 2022;Avatef Fazeli et al., 2021 (4., 5., 6., 7., 8.)) and 7 (Javadi Mamaghani et al., 2021;Abdolahnejad et al., 2022;Nojomi et al., 2021;Flores-Vega et al., 2022;Fattahi et al., 2021;Cusinato et al., 2022;Avatef Fazeli et al., 2021;Sayad et al., 2021;Hesni et al., 2022;Buttenschøn et al., 2022;Smits et al., 2022;Rosenberger et al., 2021;Shi et al., 2022 (2., 3., 4., 5., 6., 7., 8., 9., 10., 11., 12., 13., 14.)) day in discharged and deceased patients, respectively. Eighty-two out of 655 patients admitted to the hospital and 39of the 60 patients admitted to the ICU died. In total, in-hospital mortality rate was 12.33%. Regarding lab variables, in the adjusted model, no significant difference was observed between discharged and deceased patients.The results of multivariable logistic regression showed that each one-unit increase in oxygen saturation (SPO2) increased the odds of survival by 0.88 times (aOR 0.88, 95% CI 0.78–0.99, p = 0.043). Moreover, each one-day increase in the length of ICU stay reduced the odds of mortality by 0.49 times (aOR 0.82, 95% CI 0.26–0.95, p = 0.035). Conclusion: Hospitalized COVID-19 patients were generally more ill during the third peak so that about 85% of the patients had SPO2 ≤ 93%. The in-hospital mortality rate was also high. Demographic and paraclinical variables (except SPO2 level) were not suitable predictors of mortality.

Demographic and clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients admitted to a university hospital in the west of Iran: a retrospective study in the third wave.

COVID-19 is a disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The characteristics of this infectious disease vary from a country to another and from one peak to the next. The aim of the present study was to describe the COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Kermanshah, a city in the west of Iran, in the third peak of the disease and to identify in-hospital mortality determinants in this disease. Methods: In this retrospective study, the clinical and demographic characteristics, laboratory findings, prescribed treatments and outcome of all COVID-19 patients (definitive, suspected, and probable) were collected from the medical records department of Farabi Hospital affiliated with Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran from 22 October to 20 November 2020. Results: In total, 665 COVID-19 patients (265 females and 400 males, mean age: 58.7 years) were enrolled, including 479 confirmed, 15 probable, and 30 suspected cases. About 84% of the patients presented with low oxygen saturation levels. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (15%), diabetes (10%), and cardiovascular disease (3%). The median (IQR) length of hospital stay was 6 (Nojomi et al., 2021; Flores-Vega et al., 2022; Fattahi et al., 2021; Cusinato et al., 2022; Avatef Fazeli et al., 2021 (4., 5., 6., 7., 8.)) and 7 (Javadi Mamaghani et al., 2021; Abdolahnejad et al., 2022; Nojomi et al., 2021; Flores-Vega et al., 2022; Fattahi et al., 2021; Cusinato et al., 2022; Avatef Fazeli et al., 2021; Sayad et al., 2021; Hesni et al., 2022; Buttenschøn et al., 2022; Smits et al., 2022; Rosenberger et al., 2021; Shi et al., 2022 (2., 3., 4., 5., 6., 7., 8., 9., 10., 11., 12., 13., 14.)) day in discharged and deceased patients, respectively. Eighty-two out of 655 patients admitted to the hospital and 39of the 60 patients admitted to the ICU died. In total, in-hospital mortality rate was 12.33%. Regarding lab variables, in the adjusted model, no significant difference was observed between discharged and deceased patients.The results of multivariable logistic regression showed that each one-unit increase in oxygen saturation (SPO2) increased the odds of survival by 0.88 times (aOR 0.88, 95% CI 0.78-0.99, p = 0.043). Moreover, each one-day increase in the length of ICU stay reduced the odds of mortality by 0.49 times (aOR 0.82, 95% CI 0.26-0.95, p = 0.035). Conclusion: Hospitalized COVID-19 patients were generally more ill during the third peak so that about 85% of the patients had SPO2 ≤ 93%. The in-hospital mortality rate was also high. Demographic and paraclinical variables (except SPO2 level) were not suitable predictors of mortality.

Introducción: COVID-19 es una enfermedad causada por el síndrome respiratorio agudo severo coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV 2). Las características de esta enfermedad infecciosa varían de un país a otro y de un pico a otro. El objetivo del presente estudio fue describir a los pacientes con COVID-19 hospitalizados en Kermanshah, una ciudad al oeste de Irán, durante la tercera ola pandémica e identificar los determinantes de mortalidad hospitalaria de esta enfermedad.Métodos: en este estudio retrospectivo, las características clínicas y demográficas, los hallazgos de laboratorio, los tratamientos prescritos y el resultado de todos los pacientes ingresados por COVID-19 (definitivo, sospechoso y probable) se recopilaron a partir de los registros médicos del Hospital Farabi afiliado a la Universidad de Medicina de Kermanshah. Sciences, Kermanshah, Irán, del 22 de octubre al 20 de noviembre de 2020.Resultados: En total, se registraron 665 pacientes ingresados por COVID-19 (265 mujeres y 400 hombres), de los cuales 479 casosfueron confirmados, 15 probables y 30 sospechosos. La edad promedio del total de casos fue de 58,7 años. Alrededor del 84% de los pacientes presentaron niveles bajos de saturación de oxígeno. Las comorbilidades más comunes fueron hipertensión (15%), diabetes (10%) y enfermedad cardiovascular (3%). La mediana (RIC) de estancia hospitalaria fue de 6 (Nojomi et al., 2021; Flores-Vega et al., 2022; Fattahi et al., 2021; Cusinato et al., 2022; Avatef Fazeli et al., 2021 (4., 5., 6., 7., 8.)) y 7 (Javadi Mamaghani et al., 2021; Abdolahnejad et al., 2022; Nojomi et al., 2021; Flores-Vega et al., 2022; Fattahi et al., 2021; Cusinato et al., 2022; Avatef Fazeli et al., 2021; Sayad et al., 2021; Hesni et al., 2022; Buttenschøn et al., 2022; Smits et al., 2022; Rosenberger et al., 2021; Shi et al., 2022 (2., 3., 4., 5., 6., 7., 8., 9., 10., 11., 12., 13., 14.)) días en pacientes dados de alta y fallecidos, respectivamente. El 82 de los 655 pacientes ingresados en el hospital y el 39 de los 60 pacientes ingresados en UCI fallecieron. En total, la tasa de mortalidad hospitalaria fue del 12,33%. En cuanto a las variables de laboratorio, en el modelo ajustado no se observaron diferencias significativas entre los pacientes dados de alta y los fallecidos. Los resultados de la regresión logística multivariable mostraron que cada aumento de una unidad en la saturación de oxígeno (SPO2) aumentó las probabilidades de supervivencia en 0,88 veces (ORa 0,88, IC del 95% 0,78-0,99, p = 0,043). Además, cada aumento de un día en la duración de la estancia en la UCI redujo las probabilidades de mortalidad en 0,49 veces (ORa 0,82, IC del 95%: 0,26-0,95, p = 0,035).Conclusión: los pacientes hospitalizados con COVID-19 generalmente estaban más enfermos durante el tercer pico, de modo que aproximadamente el 85% de los pacientes tenían SPO2 ≤ 93%. La tasa de mortalidad hospitalaria también fue alta. Las variables demográficas y paraclínicas (excepto el nivel de SPO2) no fueron predictores adecuados de mortalidad.