Attur, Salem

Study Links Key Gene to Protection from Severe Illness and Death From Covid Infections in Men Under Age 75

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

NEW YORK, March 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A certain variant of a key anti-inflammatory gene protects men under age 75 from severe illness and death when hospitalized from Covid-19, a genetic analysis of their blood shows.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, March 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A certain variant of a key anti-inflammatory gene protects men under age 75 from severe illness and death when hospitalized from Covid-19, a genetic analysis of their blood shows.
  • According to the study authors, the protective gene in question, an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL1RN) variant, appears to tamp down inflammation.
  • Overall, more men than women (240 men, at 60.5%; and 157 women, at 39.5%) died from their disease, with women 20% less likely to die than men.
  • Funding support for this study was provided by National Institutes of Health grants P30CA016087 and R21AR078466.