To mark World Pneumonia Day on 12 November, UIC is highlighting research led by Professor Jordi Rello from the Department of Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, which shows that standard treatments for severe pneumonia do not always take biological differences between men and women into account.

Published in the Journal of Intensive Medicine, the study analyses data from patients who required respiratory support in 27 intensive care units across nine Western European countries. The researchers found that factors such as hormonal fluctuations, body composition and kidney function influence how the body metabolises antibiotics, yet these factors are rarely considered when determining dosage.

According to the analysis, women may face a higher risk of adverse effects, while younger men may eliminate drugs more quickly and therefore receive insufficient doses. The research also identifies differences in hospital care, including a lower likelihood of women undergoing certain invasive diagnostic procedures.

In light of these findings, the authors argue for the integration of a sex and gender perspective into diagnostic and treatment protocols. “Understanding sex- and gender-related differences is essential for advancing personalised medicine and represents a commitment to reducing inequalities in healthcare,” concludes Dr Rello.