COVID-19 and ethnicity: Does reduced responsiveness to glucocorticoids explain the more aggressive nature of disease among minorities?. (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Karan, Abhinav; Ali, Kabeer; Rambaran, Kirin; Del Corral, Pedro; Sakhamuri, Sateesh; Teelucksingh, Surujpal
• Is Part Of: Medical hypotheses. Volume 144(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine -- Périodiques; Medicine; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.110220
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-9877

Abstract

Abstract: Marked ethnic variations in complications and mortality have been noted following infection with COVID-19, with Black, Asian, and minority ethnic groups (BAME) being particularly hard hit. We hypothesise that glucocorticoid resistance stemming from several intrinsic reasons such as chronic social stress and lower circulating levels of Vitamin D may contribute to the exaggerated inflammatory response, more severe disease and poorer outcomes observed in BAME.