Are women with polycystic ovary syndrome more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection?
Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2, the causative virus of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), penetrates into the hosts’ tissues via binding of its spike protein to the angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) receptors after activation of the hosts’ protease enzymes. The most prominen...
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Published in | Turkish journal of obstetrics and gynecology Vol. 18; no. 3; pp. 221 - 223 |
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Main Author | |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Ankara
Türk Jinekoloji ve Obstetrik Derneği
01.09.2021
Galenos Publishing House Galenos Publishing |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2, the causative virus of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), penetrates into the hosts’ tissues via
binding of its spike protein to the angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) receptors after activation of the hosts’ protease enzymes. The most prominent
effect is observed when the virus binds to the ACE-2 receptors of the alveolar epithelium and endothelium. Testosterone exhibits an immunosuppressive
effect, and androgens play a modulatory role on protease enzymes. It is known that various comorbidities, including obesity; pregnancy; diabetes mellitus
(type 1 or type 2); hypertension; cancer; chronic kidney, liver, and lung diseases; cerebrovascular disease; heart conditions; human immunodeficiency virus
infection; immunologic disease; and immune suppression; affect the severity of COVID-19 infection. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 5-10%
of reproductive aged-women. Hirsutism is observed in 70-80% of the patients, while increased testosterone levels are detected in more than 50% of the
women with PCOS. This syndrome is also associated with hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, increased renin-angiotensin system activity, diabetes, and
metabolic syndrome in a remarkable number of cases. PCOS also manifests a chronic pro-inflammatory state. Hyperandrogenism through hyperinsulinemia
causes adipocyte hypertrophy and dysfunction that result in increased secretion of pro-inflammatory adipokine, which culminates in the creation of a
chronic inflammatory state. In light of the metabolic and hormonal changes observed in women with PCOS, which make them more susceptible to severe
COVID-19 infection, health care givers should provide special care and detailed counseling services. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 2149-9322 2149-9330 |
DOI: | 10.4274/tjod.galenos.2021.05014 |