The impact of menopause and serum DHEA-S level on the severity of Covid-19

Abstract

Objectives: We aimed to demonstrate the difference between premenopausal and postmenopausal women in respect of the clinical course and outcomes of Covid-19. We investigated the epidemiological and hormonal factors which influence the severity of the disease.

Study design: This observational cross-sectional study included the female patients admitted to a Covid-19 outpatient clinic between July 2020 and June 2021 and diagnosed with a positive polymerase chain reaction test. Blood samples were obtained to determine the serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, total testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate.

Main outcome measure: Our primary outcome was the poor clinical course of the disease in postmenopausal women. Our secondary outcome was the contribution of hormonal status to the clinical course of the disease.

Results: Our cohort consisted of 253 female patients (85 with mild, 125 with moderate and 43 with severe disease; 101 at the premenopausal and 152 at the postmenopausal stage). There was a statistically significant difference between the patients in different severity groups regarding clinical data and serum levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, estradiol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. Being one year younger decreased the odds of having severe Covid-19 0.338-fold relative to the group with mild disease. A decrease in the serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate level was associated with a 2.604-fold increase in the odds of having severe Covid-19 relative to the group with mild disease. Being postmenopausal increased the odds of having severe disease compared with mild disease by 2.687-fold.

Conclusions: The prognosis of Covid-19 is more favorable in premenopausal women compared with postmenopausal women. Age, postmenopausal status and serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate are important predictors of the severity of Covid-19 for women.

Keywords: Covid-19; DHEA-S; Menopause; Severity.