Post-covid syndrome in women of different ages with laboratory-proven and non-confirmed COVID-19

   Background. It is of interest to study in detail the consequences of COVID-19 in women, since there is evidence that female sex is a risk factor for post-COVID syndrome.

   The aim of the study. To study the subjective and laboratory manifestations of post-COVID syndrome in women depending on age and results for SARS-CoV-2.

   Materials and methods. One-time retrospective analysis of 281 medical records of women aged 20 to 91 was performed; WHO age groups are divided into test and control subgroups (confirmed and unconfirmed COVID-19, respectively). The questionnaire for post-covid syndrome, biochemical and clinical blood tests were evaluated. Statistical analysis was done using the Mann-Whitney test, Pearson’s χ², analysis of variance, Spearman’s correlation.

   Results. Women with proven COVID-19 were 1.5–2.0 times more likely to report a decrease in quality of life, exercise tolerance, cough, cardiac symptoms, edema, hair loss, skin rash, arthralgia. Laboratory-proven COVID-19 is associated with the severity of COVID-19, most of the above symptoms, increased ESR. The test subgroup of young women had higher ALT levels. In the test subgroup of middle age, a decrease in the quality of life and working capacity, hair loss and skin rash were 1.5 times more common. In the test subgroup of the elderly, diabetes mellitus was detected 2 times more often, and lower platelet counts were observed. Old women of the test subgroup have higher ESR, D-dimer and lower hemoglobin.

   Conclusions. The severity of post-COVID syndrome in women depends on the severity and laboratory confirmation of the transferred COVID-19, in contrast to the duration of its subjective manifestations. The greatest decrease in the quality of life after a significantly transferred COVID-19 is observed in middle-aged women. The control of laboratory parameters in post-covid syndrome in women should be differentiated depending on age.

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