Depression pandemic and cardiovascular risk in the COVID-19 era and long COVID syndrome: gender makes a difference, 2021, Bucciarelli et al

[Andy]

Abstract
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic highlighted a significant interplay between cardiovascular disease (CVD), COVID-19 related inflammatory status, and depression. Cardiovascular (CV) injury is responsible for a substantial percentage of COVID-19 deaths while COVID-19 social restrictions emerged as a non-negligible risk factor for CVD as well as a variety of mental health issues, and in particular, depression. Inflammation seems to be a shared condition between these two disorders.

Gender represents a potential modifying factor both in CVD and depression, as well as in COVID-19 short- and long-term outcomes, particularly in cases involving long-term COVID complications.

Results from emerging studies indicate that COVID-19 pandemic affected male and female populations in different ways. Women seem to experience less severe short-term complications but suffer worse long-term COVID complications, including depression, reduced physical activity, and deteriorating lifestyle habits, all of which may impact CV risk. Here, we summarize the current state of knowledge about the interplay between COVID-19, depression, and CV risk in women.

Open access, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1050173821001158

 

[Trish]

Women seem to experience less severe short-term complications but suffer worse long-term COVID complications, including depression, reduced physical activity, and deteriorating lifestyle habits, all of which may impact CV risk.

My bolding.

That list makes it sound like it's a psychosomatic or depression related behaviour change in lifestyle. It doesn't mention physical reasons behind such reduction in activity, namely PEM, fatiguability, and other physical symptoms.

 

[Mithriel]

I am always dubious about statements about depression in chronic disease because symptoms of the disease itself are assigned to depression in the questionnaires they use. Fatigue, difficulty sleeping, not being able to do things you did easily before for example.

I remember a paper about MS where they used a modified questionnaire for depression which removed the physical symptoms of MS.

 

[rvallee]

Person holding an uncapped highlighter: "this has been highlighted". Sure it has, buddy.

Gender represents a potential modifying factor both in CVD and depression

Uh... Proofreading is hard, I guess.

 

[Kitty]

When anyone purporting to be a scientist uses gender when they mean sex, I just stop reading.

Seems to have a good policy when it comes to this abstract.