Gender-based differences in telomere attrition and long-term respiratory dysfunction in COVID-19 ICU survivors one year post-infection: implications for aging-associated pulmonary decline.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

A significant proportion of COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) survivors develop long-term respiratory complications, including pulmonary fibrosis. Telomere attrition, a marker of cellular senescence, has emerged as a potential biomarker for post-COVID-19 sequelae. This study investigated the association between peripheral blood relative telomere length (RTL) and long-term pulmonary outcomes in COVID-19 ICU survivors, with a specific focus on gender-specific differences.

Methods

ICU-admitted COVID-19 patients were followed for at least one year post-discharge. RTL was quantified from peripheral blood using monochromatic multiplex quantitative PCR (MMqPCR) at hospital admission and one-year post-discharge. Primary outcomes were respiratory symptoms and diffuse pa

SUBMITTER: Behar-Lagares R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12815838 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature