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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Sometimes it feels like men and women are from different species. But results from a new study are providing some strong evidence that there really is a biological basis for the difference in infection and survival rates between men and women.
According to an analysis of records from 28 United States hospital emergency rooms, when men come in with pneumonia, they are likely to be sicker than women and have a greater risk of dying over the next year.
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Even when factors like age, race, insurance, smoking and other illnesses were taken into account, the results were the same. Men presented with more problematic conditions, worse vial signs and once hospitalized and treated with antibiotics, they were twice as likely to need intensive care.
Even though men were treated more aggressively in the emergency room, Michael Reade, D. Phil., who led the study said the mens condition warranted it, but that did not explain the higher risk of death during the following year.
This leads us to suggest that there may be differences in genetic or inflammatory factors between men and women, Dr. Reade was quoted as saying. We plan on investigating the precise factors and determining whether there is a specific immunomodulator unique to females that could be used as a treatment for severe infections.
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SOURCE: American Thoracic Societys 2008 International Conference in Toronto, May 20, 2008
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.
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