Ritmi biologici in salute e in malattia: esistono differenze di genere?

SUMMARY (Biological rhythms in health and disease: are there gender differences?) - Biological rhythms regulate all bodily functions at any level. They are inherited and transmitted with the DNA, but also characterized by an individual circadian preference (chronotype). The most important rhythm synchronizer is the light/dark alternation, but rhythms may be exposed to possible desynchronizing conditions, such as jet lag, shift work and daylight saving time. A rhythmic pattern is also known for onset of several acute diseases (chronorisk), as well as for possible temporized therapy/ chronotherapy. We have less evidence, however, on possible gender differences in biological rhythms and their desynchronization, that seem to have more effects in women.