Effects of ABO Blood Groups on Psychological and Physical Activity Outcomes with COVID-19: A Comparative Study on Women

Background and Aim: This study compared the effects of ABO blood groups on COVID-19 and its psychological and physical activity outcomes in infected and non-infected women. Methods: This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted using a web-based online survey on social media platforms (such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram). The sample included 409 women (206 COVID-19(+); 203 COVID-19(-)). Results: While that 65% of the participants with the blood group A were infected with COVID-19, having the blood group A increased the risk of infection 3.929 times. Conversely, the participants with the blood group O had the lowest rate of infection at 33.6% as well as the lowest risk. Considering the Rh factor, 66% of the participants with the Rh factor (Rh(+)) were infected with COVID-19, and Rh(+) increased the risk of infection 2.506 times. Those infected with COVID-19 had more psychological symptoms than those who were not, where those infected with COVID-19 had a 1.241-fold increase in somatization and a 1.354-fold increase in obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Those infected with COVID-19 had lower moderate physical activity scores than those who were not. Among only the COVID-19-infected participants, psychological symptoms were more prevalent among those with the blood group A than others. There was no difference between the physical activity levels of the infected participants according to their blood groups. Conclusions: It was concluded that the blood group A and Rh(+) increased the risk of COVID-19 infection, and psychological symptoms were more prevalent among women infected with COVID-19 and having the blood group A.