Association of COVID-19 symptoms with sex and chronic non-communicable diseases

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17765/2176-9206.2026v19e13191

Keywords:

Communicable diseases, Public health, COVID-19, Pandemics

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the association of chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), sex, and age with prevalent symptoms of COVID-19. Data was collected from the records of participants in an extension program with molecular tests for COVID-19 detection services from 2020 to 2023. The chi-square test and relative risk were used to assess the association of individual characteristics with symptom severity (mild, moderate, and severe), considering p<0.05. Of the 9,371 participants, most were adults and females. Mild symptoms of COVID-19 were reported by more than 50% of them, while moderate/severe symptoms were reported by 45.4%. Most positive cases with NCDs were female, but symptom severity was associated with male sex and hypertension (p<0.05). Males and individuals with hypertension showed a higher risk of developing moderate/severe symptoms of COVID-19.

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Author Biographies

Caroline Freitas Ochôa, Federal University of Santa Maria

Nurse graduated at UFSM (2023), she was part of the UFSM task force against COVID-19.

Angela Giovana Batista, Federal University of Juiz de Fora

Nutritionist, PhD in Food and Nutrition (2017). She was an adjunct professor at UFSM (2018-2022) and Coordinator of UFSM-Detecta. Currently she is an adjunct professor at the Institute of Life Sciences of the Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora; Campus Governador Valadares (2022-present).

Daniel Ângelo Sganzerla Graichen, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria

Biologist, PhD in Molecular Biology, Professor at the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Campus Palmeira das Missões, Palmeira das Missões - RS, Coordinator of UFSM-Detecta.

Fernanda Sarturi, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria

Nurse, PhD in Education graduated at UFSM (2018). Professor at the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria - Campus Palmeira das Missões /RS since 2010.

Luiz Anildo Anacleto da Silva, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria

Nurse, PhD in Nursing (2007) graduated at UFSC, Professor at UFSM, Director of the Palmeira das Missões Campus of the Federal University of Santa Maria, 2021-2024 term.

Terimar Facin Ruoso, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria

Biologist, Specialist in Microbiology, PhD in Science Education, Professor at the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria - Campus Palmeira das Missões/RS, Coordinator of UFSM-Detecta.

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Published

2026-02-25

How to Cite

Ochôa, C. F., Batista, A. G., Graichen, D. Ângelo S., Sarturi, F., Silva, L. A. A. da, & Ruoso, T. F. (2026). Association of COVID-19 symptoms with sex and chronic non-communicable diseases. Saúde E Pesquisa, 19, e13191. https://doi.org/10.17765/2176-9206.2026v19e13191

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Section

Artigos Originais