Higher SARS-CoV-2 viral loads correlated with smaller thyroid volumes on ultrasound among male COVID-19 survivors
Abstract
me reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction of the respiratory specimen on admission.
Results: In total, 79 COVID-19 patients and 44 non-COVID-19 controls were included. All abnormal thyroid function tests during acute COVID-19 recovered upon follow-up. Thyroid ultrasonography was performed at a median of 67 days after acute COVID-19. The median thyroid volume was 9.73 mL (IQR: 7.87-13.70). In multivariable linear regression, SARS-CoV-2 VL on presentation (standardized beta -0.206, p = 0.042) inversely correlated with thyroid volume, in addition to body mass index at the time of ultrasonography (p < 0.001). Sex-specific analysis revealed similar results among men but not women. Eleven COVID-19 patients (13.9%) had ultrasonographic changes suggestive of thyroiditis, comparable to non-COVID-19 patients (p = 0.375). None of these 11 patients had isolated low thyroid-stimulating hormone levels suggestive of thyroiditis at initial admission or the time of ultrasonography.
Conclusions: Higher SARS-CoV-2 VL on presentation were associated with smaller thyroid volumes, especially in men. Further research is suggested to investigate this possible direct viral effect of SARS-CoV-2 on the thyroid gland. There was no increased rate of ultrasonographic features suggestive of thyroiditis in COVID-19 survivors.
Citation
Lui, D. T. W., Fung, M. M. H., Chiu, K. W. H., Lee, C. H., Chow, W. S., Lee, A. C. H., … Lang, B. H. H. (2021, September 1). Higher SARS-CoV-2 viral loads correlated with smaller thyroid volumes on ultrasound among male COVID-19 survivors. Endocrine. Springer Science and Business Media LLC. http://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-021-02855-2
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2021-11-01
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