The Prognostic Impact of Thyroid Hormonal Disorders and Thyroid Nodule
According to the Clinical Severity of Coronavirus Disease 2019
(COVID-19): Results of Single Center Pandemic Hospital
Abstract
Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
can cause thyroid hormonal disorders. In addition, tracheal compression
by thyroid nodules can aggravate hypoxia in critically-ill patients. No
studies have investigated the effect of thyroid nodules on the prognosis
of patients with COVID-19. In this study, we investigated the effect of
thyroid hormonal disorders and thyroid nodules on the prognosis of
patients with COVID-19. Material and Methods: This prospective study was
conducted at the Şırnak State Hospital (Pandemic hospital in Turkey)
between 15 March and 15 August 2020. We evaluated thyroid hormonal
disorder and thyroid nodules in 125 patients who were admitted to the
non-intensive care unit (non-ICU) due to mild COVID-19 pneumonia (group
1) and 125 critically-ill patients who were admitted to the ICU (group
2). Results: Thyroid stimulating hormone levels (TSH) were not
significantly different between groups 1 and 2 ; however, group 2
patients had significantly lower levels of free thyroxine (FT4) and free
triiodothyronine (FT3) as compared to group 1 (p = 0.005, p <
0.0001, respectively). FT3 level showed a negative correlation with
length of hospital stay and C-reactive protein level (rho: −0.216, p:
0.001; rho: - 0.383, p < 0.0001). Overt thyroid disorder was
observed in 13 patients [2 patients in group 1 (both with overt
thyrotoxicosis) and 11 patients in group 2 (3 overt hypothyroidism, 8
overt thyrotoxicosis) (p = 0.01)]. Thyroid nodules sized ≥1 cm were
found in 9 patients (7 %) in group 1 and 32 patients (26%) in group 2
(p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Overt thyroid hormonal disorders
were more common in critically-ill COVID-19 patients. FT3 level at
hospital admission is a potential prognostic marker of COVID-19
patients. Thyroid nodules may be associated with severe COVID-19
disease.