Characteristic of epigenetic factors of fertile aged women residents of the Kyiv city of Ukraine who have undergone coronavirus infection

Abstract

This study highlights the critical importance of understanding the impact of epigenetic risk factors on COVID-19 among women of fertile age.

Purpose - to characterize the epigenetic factors of COVID-19 in women of childbearing age, residents of Kyiv city who have had coronavirus infection, identified as a result of clinical and epidemiological studies.

Materials and methods. This research investigates the potential epigenetic risk factors for COVID-19 onset and progression in women of childbearing age in the Kyiv city. An original, comprehensive questionnaire designed to capture a wide range of health and socio-biological risk factors was disseminated among 100 women. Follow-up examinations and interviews were conducted with 97 of these women.

Results. The study revealed that a notable proportion of the surveyed women experienced adverse working conditions. 12.4% reported infrequent exposure to chemically harmful environments. About 12.4% indicated consistent and 10.3% intermittent work-related nervous strain. Furthermore, 15.5% of the respondents identified infrequent physical hazards at their workplace, while 19.6% experienced occupational harm. Among male partners, 4.1% frequent and 4.1% occasionally had contact with harmful vapours or chemicals at work. Epigenetic risk factors were determined using a clinical genealogical map. Occupational harm was absent before and after COVID-19 infection in 35.0% and 33.0% of women, respectively. Regarding harmful habits, 9.3% and 2.1% of women engaged in tobacco smoking before and after COVID-19 infection, respectively, whereas 9.3% and 36.8% did not consumed alcohol. Past illnesses, such as rubella and allergy, were identified as potential epigenetic factors in 3.1% and 11.3% of women.

Conclusions. It was established that among the identified epigenetic risk factors that can directly or indirectly affect the spread of coronavirus infection in women, residents of the city of Kyiv, the following require special attention of the doctor: presence of contact with physical and chemical agents, transferred diseases and conditions (rubella in 3.1 % of women), allergy (in 11.3% and 13.4% of women before and after the disease).

The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the participating institution. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies.

No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.