A recent study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open reveals that women may have a 31% higher risk of developing long Covid compared to men, with the highest risk observed in those aged 40-55 years. Among this group, menopausal women face a 42% higher risk, while non-menopausal women show a 45% increase. The study, based on the 'RECOVER' trial, included over 12,200 participants and was led by researchers from The University of Texas, US.

Long Covid, which affects about a third of those who recover from Covid-19, causes persistent symptoms such as fatigue and brain fog, often lasting well beyond the acute phase of infection. The study found that women, except those aged 18-39, face a significantly increased risk of long Covid, regardless of factors like race, ethnicity, and Covid variant. Researchers emphasized the importance of identifying biological factors that contribute to sex-specific differences in long Covid, which could lead to better treatments and targeted drugs.

According to the lead researcher, Thomas Patterson, understanding these risk factors is crucial for preventing and managing long Covid. The study offers new insights into the gender and age-based disparities in the condition, shedding light on the importance of considering these factors when diagnosing and treating patients.