AP Report: Sex Differences Matter

April 25, 2001

Virtually none of the studies done related to Lyme disease break down the

results by sex of subject, including the animal studies.

Lynn

Report Says Sex Differences Matter in Medicine

By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID

..c The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (April 24) - Men and women are different and, when it comes to

medical research, that's important.

That's the word Tuesday from a panel of scientists convened by the Institute

of Medicine to review medical research programs.

Their conclusion: ``Sex matters.''

``Sex ... is an important basic human variable that should be considered when

designing and analyzing studies in all areas and at all levels of medical and

health-related research,'' the committee wrote.

Historically, medical researchers have assumed that, other than their

reproductive systems, men and women basically reacted the same way to drugs.

That has drawn criticism from women's groups, who contend research has

focused on men and too little attention has been paid to the differing

reactions and needs of women.

In its report, ``Exploring the Biological Contributions to Human Health: Does

Sex Matter?'' the panel noted that the sexual differences extend to the

cellular level.

Men and women differ in their patterns of illness and life spans, the report

observed, they are exposed to disease differently, have different methods for

energy storage, have different metabolisms and respond differently to drugs.

In addition to urging more research into how the sexes respond to disease and

drugs, the report calls on clinical researchers to design their programs to

take these differences into consideration.

The panel said studies should be designed so their results can be analyzed by

sex, the sex breakdown of the participants should be reported in scientific

papers and studies involving women should note the status of their menstrual

cycle.

The Institute of Medicine is a division of the National Academy of Sciences,

an independent scientific organization chartered by Congress to provide

scientific advice to the federal government.

AP-NY-04-24-01 1601EDT

report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed

without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active

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