Men at 30 Percent Higher Risk of Death from Pneumonia Compared to Women

A new study at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine investigating nearly 2,220 pneumonia patients finds that men who come to the hospital generally are sicker than women. Despite aggressive medical care those men have a 30 percent higher risk of dying over the next year.

Since the social factors researchers examined were not sufficient to explain the observed differences, the study team suggests that there are significant differences in immune system response to infection. This conclusion leads to speculation that future pneumonia treatments could be gender-based.

The study will presented Tuesday, May 20, at the 104th International Conference of the American Thoracic Society. Scientific sessions are scheduled May 16 to 21 in Toronto, Canada.