University of Southampton: Oestrogen treatment associated with reduced COVID deaths

A new study led by the University of Southampton indicates that receiving hormone replacement therapy within six months of a recorded diagnosis of COVID-19 is associated with a reduction in mortality from the disease.

Men and women are equally susceptible to the infection. Men tend to have more severe infections, however, and have higher rates of hospitalisation and mortality. A recent review, using data from 38 countries, found mortality in men was 1.7 times higher than in women. Younger women or those with higher oestrogen levels are less likely to experience COVID-19 complications.

Earlier studies have also shown that women have faster and greater immune responses to viral infections. Researchers have observed similar data in previous pandemics, including the SARS-CoV (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus) and MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus) outbreaks.

The reason for these sex differences is uncertain. Limited recent observational data suggest that oestrogen may reduce the severity of COVID-19 disease. This study investigated the association between hormone replacement therapy or combined oral contraception use, and the likelihood of death in women with COVID-19. Researchers investigated combined oral contraception, which contains oestrogen, because some recent observational data suggests that women taking oral contraceptives have a lower risk of acquiring COVID-19.

Investigators used a retrospective cohort with medical records from the Oxford-Royal College of General Practitioners Research and Surveillance Centre primary care database. They identified a group of 1,863,478 women from 465 general practices in England. There were 5451 COVID-19 cases within the cohort. Hormone replacement therapy was associated with a 78% reduction in all-cause mortality in COVID-19.

This suggests that oestrogen may well contribute a protective effect against COVID-19 severity and may explain why fewer women compared to men have been hospitalised, admitted to intensive care, or died due to COVID-19 during the pandemic.

“This study supports the theory that oestrogen may offer some protection against severe COVID-19,” said Dr Christopher Wilcox of the University of Southampton who led the study. “We hope that this study can provide reassurance to patients and clinicians that there is no indication to stop hormone replacement therapy because of the pandemic.”