Men Face Higher ICU Risk from COVID-19 Than Women, Study Reveals

A comprehensive study conducted on adults who tested positive for COVID-19 in Ireland has found that men are nearly twice as likely to be admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) compared to women. The research, which analyzed data from the Central Statistics Office, spans from April 2020 to December 2022 and covers a total of 1.4 million adults diagnosed with the virus.

The findings indicate that men have a 1.8 times higher risk of requiring ICU care. This aligns with global trends observed in other countries, further emphasizing the need for targeted health interventions. The study highlights the significant impact of age and pre-existing health conditions on ICU admissions and mortality rates.

Key Findings on Age and Health Conditions

The average age of individuals testing positive for COVID-19 was 42, with the majority being male (53%). The study revealed that those who died from the virus had an average age of 75, while the average age for hospital admissions was 59. Individuals with underlying health conditions were found to be ten times more likely to be admitted to intensive care.

Current and former smokers also faced increased risks, with more than double the likelihood of ICU admission. The study analyzed data encompassing 1,408,249 patients, revealing that 31,037 (2.2%) required hospital admission, and 4,432 (0.31%) were admitted to ICUs. A total of 10,855 (0.8%) of those patients died.

According to the study’s authors, including Professor Cecily Kelleher and Professor Patricia Fitzpatrick from University College Dublin (UCD), the results reaffirm existing scientific consensus on the impact of age and health conditions on COVID-19 outcomes.

Professor Kelleher stated, “This comprehensive study confirmed international findings associated with poor outcomes in COVID. While clinical indications for ICU admission may differ, the main drivers of mortality are age, underlying conditions, and disease severity, irrespective of location.”

Implications for Public Health

The analysis underscores the necessity for safeguarding vulnerable populations, particularly older individuals and those with pre-existing conditions. Professor Kelleher emphasized the importance of public health messaging surrounding these risks during the pandemic, noting, “It’s clear where you have a population of older people and those who are vulnerable, they must be protected.”

The research also indicates that individuals with multiple metabolic disorders—such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity—were six times more likely to die from the virus and fourteen times more likely to require ICU care. These findings support the call for improved health measures aimed at reducing obesity and promoting smoking cessation.

As the study reflects on the pandemic’s trajectory, it highlights the crucial role of vaccination in mitigating severe outcomes. “The rollout of the vaccination programme was the most important development during the pandemic,” Professor Kelleher remarked, pointing out that older individuals in hospitals or long-term care facilities were at a heightened risk of contracting COVID-19.

Despite the significant findings, Professor Kelleher cautioned that future epidemics could present entirely different challenges. She noted, “COVID-19 was a very significant epidemic strongly associated with age and underlying disease. However, for a future epidemic, it might be a completely different virus, a completely different set of circumstances.”

As the world continues to navigate the ongoing challenges posed by COVID-19, this study serves as a crucial reminder of the persistent risks associated with the virus, particularly for those with underlying health conditions and older adults. The findings will inform ongoing public health strategies aimed at protecting the most vulnerable populations.