Prospective role of thyroid disorders in monitoring COVID-19 pandemic

The Multisystem Impact of Long COVID: A Comprehensive Review

(1) Background: COVID-19 was responsible for the latest pandemic, shaking and reshaping healthcare systems worldwide. Its late clinical manifestations make it linger in medical memory as a debilitating illness over extended periods. (2) Methods: the recent literature was systematically analyzed to categorize and examine the symptomatology and pathophysiology of Long COVID across various bodily systems, including pulmonary, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neuropsychiatric, dermatological, renal, hematological, and endocrinological aspects. (3) Results: The review outlines the diverse clinical manifestations of Long COVID across multiple systems, emphasizing its complexity and challenges in diagnosis and treatment. Factors such as pre-existing conditions, initial COVID-19 severity, vaccination status, gender, and age were identified as influential in the manifestation and persistence of Long COVID symptoms. This condition is highlighted as a debilitating disease capable of enduring over an extended period and presenting new symptoms over time. (4) Conclusions: Long COVID emerges as a condition with intricate multi-systemic involvement, complicating its diagnosis and treatment. The findings underscore the necessity for a nuanced understanding of its diverse manifestations to effectively manage and address the evolving nature of this condition over time.

Polygenic regression uncovers trait-relevant cellular contexts through pathway activation transformation of single-cell RNA sequencing data

Advances in single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) techniques have accelerated functional interpretation of disease-associated variants discovered from genome-wide association studies (GWASs). However, identification of trait-relevant cell populations is often impeded by inherent technical noise and high sparsity in scRNA-seq data. Here, we developed scPagwas, a computational approach that uncovers trait-relevant cellular context by integrating pathway activation transformation of scRNA-seq data and GWAS summary statistics. scPagwas effectively prioritizes trait-relevant genes, which facilitates identification of trait-relevant cell types/populations with high accuracy in extensive simulated and real datasets. Cellular-level association results identified a novel subpopulation of naive CD8+ T cells related to COVID-19 severity and oligodendrocyte progenitor cell and microglia subsets with critical pathways by which genetic variants influence Alzheimer's disease. Overall, our approach provides new insights for the discovery of trait-relevant cell types and improves the mechanistic understanding of disease variants from a pathway perspective.

Endocrinological Involvement in Children and Adolescents Affected by COVID-19: A Narrative Review

Since the advent of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, an increased incidence of several endocrinological anomalies in acute-phase and/or long-term complications has been described. The aim of this review is to provide a broad overview of the available literature regarding changes in the worldwide epidemiology of endocrinological involvement in children since December 2019 and to report the evidence supporting its association with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although little is known regarding the involvement of endocrine organs during COVID-19 in children, the current evidence in adults and epidemiological studies on the pediatric population suggest the presence of a causal association between the virus and endocrinopathies. Untreated transient thyroid dysfunction, sick euthyroid syndrome, nonthyroidal illness syndrome, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and central precocious puberty have been observed in children in acute infection and/or during multisystem inflammatory syndrome development. Furthermore, a higher frequency of ketoacidosis at onset in children with a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes is reported in the literature. Although the direct association between COVID-19 and endocrinological involvement has not been confirmed yet, data on the development of different endocrinopathies in children, both during acute infection and as a result of its long-term complications, have been reported. This information is of primary importance to guide the management of patients with previous or current COVID-19.

COVID-19 associated thyroid dysfunction and other comorbidities and its management using phytochemical-based therapeutics: a natural way

The present severe acute respiratory syndrome-2 (SARS-CoV-2) mediated Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) and post-COVID-19 complications affect human life drastically. Patients who have been cured of COVID-19 infection are now experiencing post-COVID-19 associated comorbidities, which have increased mortality rates. The SARS-CoV-2 infection distresses the lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and various endocrine glands, including the thyroid. The emergence of variants which includes Omicron (B.1.1.529) and its lineages threaten the world severely. Among different therapeutic approaches, phytochemical-based therapeutics are not only cost-effective but also have lesser side effects. Recently a plethora of studies have shown the therapeutic efficacy of various phytochemicals for the treatment of COVID-19. Besides this, various phytochemicals have been found efficacious in treating several inflammatory diseases, including thyroid-related anomalies. The method of the phytochemical formulation is quick and facile and the raw materials for such herbal preparations are approved worldwide for human use against certain disease conditions. Owing to the advantages of phytochemicals, this review primarily discusses the COVID-19-related thyroid dysfunction and the role of key phytochemicals to deal with thyroid anomaly and post-COVID-19 complications. Further, this review shed light on the mechanism via which COVID-19 and its related complication affect organ function of the body, along with the mechanistic insight into the way by which phytochemicals could help to cure post-COVID-19 complications in thyroid patients. Considering the advantages offered by phytochemicals as a safer and cost-effective medication they can be potentially used to combat COVID-19-associated comorbidities.

The Influence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on the Thyroid Gland

It is important to acknowledge the impact that COVID-19 has on the thyroid gland and how the thyroid gland status before and during infection affects SARS-CoV-2 severity. To this day those dependencies are not fully understood. It is known that the virus uses angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 as the receptor for cellular entry and it can lead to multiple organ failures due to a cytokine storm. Levels of proinflammatory molecules (such as cytokines and chemokines) which are commonly elevated during infection were significantly higher in observed SARS-CoV-2-positive patients. In terms of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and autoimmune thyroid diseases, there is no proof that those dysfunctions have a direct impact on the more severe courses of COVID-19. Regarding hyper- and hypothyroidism there was no consequential dependency between the frequency of SARS-CoV-2 infection morbidity and more severe post-infectious complications. When it comes to autoimmune thyroid diseases, more evaluation has to be performed due to the unclear relation with the level of antibodies commonly checked in those illnesses and its binding with the mentioned before virus. Nonetheless, based on analyzed works we found that COVID-19 can trigger the immune system and cause its hyperactivity, sometimes leading to the new onset of autoimmune disorders. We also noticed more acute SARS-CoV-2 courses in patients with mainly reduced free triiodothyronine serum levels, which in the future, might be used as a mortality indicating factor regarding SARS-CoV-2-positive patients. Considering subacute thyroiditis (SAT), no statistically important data proving its direct correlation with COVID-19 infection has been found. Nevertheless, taking into account the fact that SAT is triggered by respiratory tract viral infections, it might be that SARS-CoV-2 can cause it too. There are many heterogenous figures in the symptoms, annual morbidity distribution, and frequency of new cases, so this topic requires further evaluation.

SARS-CoV-2 infection and multi-organ system damage: A review

The SARS-CoV-2 infection causes COVID-19, which has affected approximately six hundred million people globally as of August 2022. Organs and cells harboring angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) surface receptors are the primary targets of the virus. However, once it enters the body through the respiratory system, the virus can spread hematogenously to infect other body organs. Therefore, COVID-19 affects many organs, causing severe and long-term complications, even after the disease has ended, thus worsening the quality of life. Although it is known that the respiratory system is most affected by the SARS-CoV-2 infection, many organs/systems are affected in the short and long term. Since the COVID-19 disease simultaneously affects many organs, redesigning diagnostic and therapy policies to fit the damaged organs is strongly recommended. Even though the pathophysiology of many problems the infection causes is unknown, the frequency of COVID-19 cases rises with age and the existence of preexisting symptoms. This study aims to update our knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 infection and multi-organ dysfunction interaction based on clinical and theoretical evidence. For this purpose, the study comprehensively elucidates the most recent studies on the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on multiple organs and systems, including respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, renal, nervous, endocrine, reproductive, immune, and parts of the integumentary system. Understanding the range of atypical COVID-19 symptoms could improve disease surveillance, limit transmission, and avoid additional multi-organ-system problems.

The Prognostic Properties of Thyroid Disorders, Hypothyroidism, and Hyperthyroidism in Predicting COVID-19 Poor Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Diagnostic Meta-analysis

Purpose

The relationship between thyroid metabolism and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) inflammation has been extensively investigated. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the prognostic properties of unspecified thyroid disorders, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism for predicting poor COVID-19 outcomes.

Methods

We conducted systematic literature searching through multiple databases-PubMed, EBSCO and CENTRAL up until 27 September 2021. The main exposure was unspecified thyroid disorders, hypothyroidism or hypothyroidism on-admission status. The outcome of interest was the COVID-19 composite poor outcome that comprises severity, mortality, ICU admission and hospitalisation.

Results

There were 24517 patients from 20 studies. Meta-analysis showed that thyroid disorder, regardless of its type, was associated with COVID-19 poor outcome (OR 2.92 (95% CI 2.09 - 4.08), P < 0.001; I2 = 71%, P < 0.001). Unspecified thyroid disorder has a sensitivity of 0.17 (0.08-0.33), specificity of 0.94 (0.88-0.97) and Area Under Curve (AUC) of 0.66. Hypothyroidism has a sensitivity of 0.24 (0.12-0.42), specificity of 0.92 (0.87-0.96) and AUC of 0.77. Hyperthyroidism has a sensitivity of 0.05 (0.02-0.11), specificity of 0.98 (0.88-1.00) and AUC of 0.36. In this pooled analysis, the posttest probability of unspecified thyroid disease, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism were 42%, 27% and 8% for poor outcomes, respectively.

Conclusion

Thyroid disorders are associated with poor COVID-19 prognosis.

Thyroid Function and COVID-19 Susceptibility and Its Severity: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study

Several observational studies have confirmed the relationship between thyroid hormones and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but this correlation remains controversial. We performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis based on the largest publicly available summary datasets. Summary statistics with 49 269 individuals for free thyroxine (FT4) and 54 288 for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were used as exposure instruments. Genome-wide association studies of susceptibility (cases = 38 984; controls = 1 644 784), hospitalization (cases: 9986 = controls = 1 877 672), and very severe disease (cases = 5101; controls = 1 383 241) of COVID-19 were used as the outcome. We used the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method as the primary analysis, and utilized MR-Egger regression, weighted median, and robust adjusted profile score (RAPS) for sensitivity analysis. Genetic predisposition to higher serum levels of FT4 within the normal range was negatively associated with the risk of COVID-19 hospitalization (odds ratio [OR] = 0.818; 95% CI, 0.718-0.932; P = 2.6 × 10-3) and very severe disease (OR = 0.758; 95% CI, 0.626-0.923; P = 5.8 × 10-3), but not susceptibility. There is no evidence that genetically predicted circulating TSH levels are associated with COVID-19 susceptibility and severity risk. Neither apparent pleiotropy nor heterogeneity were detected in the sensitivity analysis. In summary, we found that higher FT4 levels may reduce the risk of COVID-19 severity, suggesting that thyroid function testing may be required for patients with COVID-19.

Symptomatic Bradycardia Manifesting as Acute Hypothyroidism Following COVID-19 Infection: A Case Report

The role of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus and associated autoimmune phenomenon behind pathology development has been a scientific mystery since the onset of the pandemic in 2020. Early on, scientific studies showed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) being linked to many pathological consequences including blood clots, neurocognitive dysfunction, and cardiomyopathy. We present a case of acute hypothyroidism in an 88-year-old female with no previous history of thyroid dysfunction or disease. The eventual workup revealed a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) of greater than 100,000 milli-international units per liter (mlU/L) and a thyroxine (free T4) level of less than 0.10 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dl). At the time of presentation, she was found to have a positive COVID-19 test despite being vaccinated. She was started on a levothyroxine injection, which led to eventual symptom resolution. Our aim of this case report is to highlight the possibility of her acute hypothyroidism being triggered by the onset of COVID-19.

The prognostic values of thyroid disorders in predicting COVID-19 composite poor outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

In this meta-analysis, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic properties of thyroid disorder during admission on poor prognosis and factors that may influence the relationship in patients with COVID-19.

METHODS

A systematic literature search of PubMed, EBSCO, and CENTRAL was conducted from inception to August 27, 2021. The main exposure was unspecified and specified thyroid disorders-hypothyroidism or hypothyroidism. The outcome of interest was the COVID-19 composite poor outcome that comprises of severity, mortality, ICU admission, and hospitalization.

RESULTS

There were 24,734 patients from 20 studies. Meta-analysis showed that thyroid disorder was associated with composite poor outcome (OR 2.87 (95% CI 2.04-4.04), p < 0.001; I² = 62.4%, p < 0.001). Meta regression showed that age (p = 0.047) and hypertension (p = 0.01), but not gender (p = 0.15), DM (p = 0.10), CAD/CVD (p = 0.38), obesity (p = 0.84), and COPD (p = 0.07) affected the association. Subgroup analysis showed that thyroid disorder increased risk of severe COVID-19 (OR 5.13 (95% CI 3.22-8.17), p < 0.05; I² = 0%, p = 0.70) and mortality (OR 2.78 (95%CI 1.31-5.90), p < 0.05; I² = 80%, p < 0.01). Pooled diagnostic analysis of thyroid disorder yielded a sensitivity of 0.22 (0.13-0.35), specificity of 0.92 (0.87-0.95), and AUC of 0.72. The probability of poor outcome was 38% in patients with thyroid disorder and 15% in patients without thyroid abnormality.

CONCLUSION

On-admission thyroid disorder was associated with poor prognosis in COVID-19 patients.

Comorbidities and clinical complications associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection: an overview

The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes major challenges to the healthcare system. SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to millions of deaths worldwide and the mortality rate is found to be greatly associated with pre-existing clinical conditions. The existing dataset strongly suggests that cardiometabolic diseases including hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes and obesity serve as strong comorbidities in coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Studies have also shown the poor outcome of COVID-19 in patients associated with angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 polymorphism, cancer chemotherapy, chronic kidney disease, thyroid disorder, or coagulation dysfunction. A severe complication of COVID-19 is mostly seen in people with compromised medical history. SARS-CoV-2 appears to attack the respiratory system causing pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, which lead to induction of severe systemic inflammation, multi-organ dysfunction, and death mostly in the patients who are associated with pre-existing comorbidity factors. In this article, we highlighted the key comorbidities and a variety of clinical complications associated with COVID-19 for a better understanding of the etiopathogenesis of COVID-19.

Acute Bacterial Hemorrhagic Pyelonephritis in a COVID-19 Patient With a History of Hypothyroidism: A Case Report

Since its initial reporting in December 2019, the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has emerged as a global health problem after its official declaration as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, with an estimated 346 million cases and over 5.9 million fatalities as of January 22, 2022. Studies on the prevalence of COVID-19 among severe cases have shown that comorbidities and risk factors such as obesity, increased aging, and chronic cardiovascular and respiratory diseases play a role in the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infections. The interactions between such factors and their involvement with the progression of infection and mortality remain unclear.

While it is known that SARS-CoV-2 damages the lungs, various morbidities such as acute kidney disease and thyroid dysregulation have recently emerged in symptomatic COVID-19 patients. Conditions that alter thyroid hormones, which play a critical role in regulating metabolic pathways, have a role in the level of infectivity of the SARS-CoV-2. The capability of the SARS-CoV-2 to invade and affect any organ system is dependent on its access to the angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) commonly expressed among various host cells. This binding puts any system at high risk of direct viral injury, inevitably creating an excessively high concentration of anti-inflammatory mediators and cytokines to predispose COVID-19 patients to a state of severe immunosuppression.

This case report describes a 62-year-old female who tested positive for COVID-19, with a medical history of hypothyroidism, who presented with a unique combination of acute bacterial hemorrhagic pyelonephritis and ureteral obstruction. She experienced intermittent dysuria, urinary urgency, and hematuria over the past five days. She developed chills, diaphoresis, nausea, and vomiting after administering acetaminophen for her headache. Ageusia and anosmia accompanied her respiratory illnesses despite receiving the Pfizer double dose vaccine six months before her arrival. A computerized tomography (CT) scan revealed severe to moderate inflammation surrounding the enlarged kidney with a 1 mm ureteral stone. Blood and urine cultures showed the growth of Escherichia coli gram-negative bacilli. Chest X-rays displayed a patchy appearance in the right infrahilar airspace, reflecting atelectasis in part for the diagnosis of COVID-19 with additional laboratory findings of profoundly elevated C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and d-dimer levels. Abdominal CT scans revealed a hemorrhagic ureteral obstruction and massive swelling of the renal parenchyma persistent to pyelonephritis and hydronephrosis.

Potential relationships between COVID-19 and the thyroid gland: an update

In this review, I aim to provide a complete overview of recent advances in knowledge regarding severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-induced thyroid dysfunction. I discuss the findings regarding the role of SARS-CoV-2 in the development of thyroid dysfunction, including subacute thyroiditis, Graves’ disease, non-thyroidal illness, thyrotoxicosis and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis during and subsequent to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The thyroid gland and the entire hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid (HPT) axis may represent key targets of SARS-CoV-2. Thyroid dysfunction during and subsequent to COVID-19 has been documented in clinical studies and is usually reversible. Most of the thyroid disorders, including Graves’ disease, euthyroid sick syndrome, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and subacute thyroiditis, have been documented as sequelae to COVID-19, and the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been implicated in the aetiology of each. COVID-19 has been suggested to trigger the activation of pre-existing thyroid disease or autoimmunity. Furthermore, patients with uncontrolled thyrotoxicosis are at risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection-related consequences. Because of the neutropenia caused by antithyroid medications, which may obscure the signs of COVID-19, this group of patients should receive special attention. It is suggested that thyroid dysfunction during COVID-19 is caused by direct infection of the thyroid or “cytokine storm”-mediated autoimmune effects on the thyroid.

Criminal of Adverse Pregnant Outcomes: A Perspective From Thyroid Hormone Disturbance Caused by SARS-CoV-2

Nowadays, emerging evidence has shown adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth, preeclampsia, cesarean, and perinatal death, occurring in pregnant women after getting infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Thyroid hormone disturbance has been unveiled consistently in various studies. As commonly known, thyroid hormone is vital for promoting pregnancy and optimal fetal growth and development. Even mild thyroid dysfunction can cause adverse pregnancy outcomes. We explored and summarized possible mechanisms of thyroid hormone abnormality in pregnant women after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and made a scientific thypothesis that adverse pregnancy outcomes can be the result of thyroid hormone disorder during COVID-19. In which case, we accentuate the importance of thyroid hormone surveillance for COVID-19-infected pregnant women.

Non-thyroidal illness syndrome and SARS-CoV-2-associated multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children

PURPOSE

COVID-19 disease may result in a severe multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), which in turn may alter thyroid function (TF). We assessed TF in MIS-C, evaluating its impact on disease severity.

METHODS

We retrospectively considered children admitted with MIS-C to a single pediatric hospital in Milan (November 2019-January 2021). Non-thyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS) was defined as any abnormality in TF tests (FT3, FT4, TSH) in the presence of critical illness and absence of a pre-existing hormonal abnormality. We devised a disease severity score by combining severity scores for each organ involved. Glucose and lipid profiles were also considered. A principal component analysis (PCA) was performed, to characterize the mutual association patterns between TF and disease severity.

RESULTS

Of 26 (19 M/7F) patients, median age 10.7 (IQR 5.8-13.3) years, 23 (88.4%) presented with NTIS. A low FT3 level was noted in 15/23 (65.3%), while the other subjects had varying combinations of hormone abnormalities (8/23, 34.7%). Mutually correlated variables related to organ damage and inflammation were represented in the first dimension (PC1) of the PCA. FT3, FT4 and total cholesterol were positively correlated and characterized the second axis (PC2). The third axis (PC3) was characterized by the association of triglycerides, TyG index and HDL cholesterol. TF appeared to be related to lipemic and peripheral insulin resistance profiles. A possible association between catabolic components and severity score was also noted.

CONCLUSIONS

A low FT3 level is common among MIS-C. TF may be useful to define the impact of MIS-C on children's health and help delineate long term follow-up management and prognosis.

Thyroid Hormone Levels During Hospital Admission Inform Disease Severity and Mortality in COVID-19 Patients

Background: Illness severity in patients infected with COVID-19 is variable. Methods: Here, we conducted an observational, longitudinal, and prospective cohort study to investigate serum thyroid hormone (TH) levels in adult COVID-19 patients, admitted between June and August 2020, and to determine whether they reflect the severity or mortality associated with the disease. Results: Two hundred forty-five patients [median age: 62 (49-75) years] were stratified into non-critical (181) and critically ill (64) groups. Fifty-eight patients (23.6%) were admitted to the intensive care unit, and 41 (16.7%) died. Sixteen (6.5%) exhibited isolated low levels of free triiodothyronine (fT3). fT3 levels were lower in critically ill compared with non-critical patients [fT3: 2.82 (2.46-3.29) pg/mL vs. 3.09 (2.67-3.63) pg/mL, p = 0.007]. Serum reverse triiodothyronine (rT3) was mostly elevated but less so in critically ill compared with non-critical patients [rT3: 0.36 (0.28-0.56) ng/mL vs. 0.51 (0.31-0.67) ng/mL, p = 0.001]. The univariate logistic regression revealed correlation between in-hospital mortality and serum fT3 levels (odds ratio [OR]: 0.47; 95% confidence interval [CI 0.29-0.74]; p = 0.0019), rT3 levels (OR: 0.09; [CI 0.01-0.49]; p = 0.006) and the product fT3 × rT3 (OR: 0.47; [CI 0.28-0.74]; p = 0.0026). Serum thyrotropin, free thyroxine, and fT3/rT3 values were not significantly associated with mortality and severity of the disease. A serum cutoff level of fT3 (≤2.6 pg/mL) and rT3 (≤0.38 ng/mL) was associated with 3.46 and 5.94 OR of mortality, respectively. We found three COVID-19 mortality predictors using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC score): serum fT3 (AUC = 0.66), rT3 (AUC = 0.64), and the product of serum fT3 × rT3 (AUC = 0.70). Non-thyroidal illness syndrome (fT3 < 2.0 pg/mL) was associated with a 7.05 OR of mortality ([CI 1.78-28.3], p = 0.005) and the product rT3 × fT3 ≤ 1.29 with an 8.08 OR of mortality ([CI 3.14-24.2], p < 0.0001). Conclusions: This prospective study reports data on the largest number of hospitalized moderate-to-severe COVID-19 patients and correlates serum TH levels with illness severity, mortality, and other biomarkers to critical illness. The data revealed the importance of early assessment of thyroid function in hospitalized patients with COVID-19, given the good prognostic value of serum fT3, rT3, and fT3 × rT3 product. Further studies are necessary to confirm these observations.

Association between thyroid disorders and COVID-19: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic initially appeared in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, on 31 December 2019 and was spread rapidly worldwide. Most underlying diseases reported with COVID-19 patients are diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart diseases, and cerebrovascular disease. We do not know whether individuals with thyroid disease are at increased risk of COVID-19 infection.

Methods

Two experienced researchers will conduct an electronic search of the databases including PubMed/MEDLINE, the Cochrane Reviews, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Web of Science, Scopus, and ProQuest, for articles published since October 2019. Clinical trials and observational studies will be included. Studies will be screened after de-duplication. A standardized data extraction form will be developed through discussions with the review team and will be revised after piloting. An appropriate risk of bias assessment tool will be used to assess the quality of studies. Two independent reviewers will assess the eligibility, extraction of detailed information, and quality assessment of studies. The results will be pooled for meta-analysis, subgroup analysis and/or descriptive analysis based on the included data conditions.

Conclusion

Results of this study will provide current evidence on the association of COVID-19 diseases with any thyroid disorders such as hypothyroidism, thyrotoxicosis, and thyroid cancer with or without radioiodine therapy. Findings will be disseminated in peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

Trial registration

PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020184289.

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/#recordDetails

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13044-021-00113-1.

Effect of Micronutrients on Thyroid Parameters

Micronutrients are involved in various vital cellular metabolic processes including thyroid hormone metabolism. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between serum levels of micronutrients and their effects on thyroid parameters. The correlation of serum levels of micronutrients and thyroid markers was studied in a group of 387 healthy individuals tested for thyroid markers (T4, T3, FT4, FT3, TSH, anti-TPO, RT3, and anti-Tg) and their micronutrient profile at Vibrant America Clinical Laboratory. The subjects were rationalized into three groups (deficient, normal, or excess levels of micronutrients), and the levels of their thyroid markers were compared. According to our results, deficiency of vitamin B2, B12, B9 and Vit-D25[OH] ( $p<0.05$ ) significantly affected thyroid functioning. Other elemental micronutrients such as calcium, copper, choline, iron, and zinc ( $p<0.05$ ) have a significant correlation with serum levels of free T3. Amino acids asparagine (r = 0.1765, $p<0.001$ ) and serine (r = 0.1186, $p<0.05$ ) were found to have a strong positive correlation with TSH. Valine, leucine, and arginine ( $p<0.05$ ) also exhibited a significant positive correlation with serum levels of T4 and FT4. No other significant correlations were observed with other micronutrients. Our study suggests strong evidence for the association of the levels of micronutrients with thyroid markers with a special note on the effect of serum levels of certain amino acids.

Vitamin D, Thyroid Hormones and Cardiovascular Risk: Exploring the Components of This Novel Disease Triangle

The role of thyroid hormones (THs) in the cardiovascular (CV) system, through several direct and indirect effects is recognized. Even very small modification in TH levels (as those observed in subclinical hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, and low triiodothyronine syndrome) may adversely affect the CV system, whereas thyroid hormones benefit the CV system and improve the prognosis. There is also evidence of vitamin D effects on cardiometabolic disease (e.g., through modulation of endothelial and smooth muscle cell activity, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, nitric oxide, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response), as well as an association between vitamin D [25(OH)D] deficiency and autoimmune thyroid diseases or cancer, and a relationship between vitamin D concentration and titers of antibodies and thyroid autoimmunity replacement. Interestingly, experimental data indicate a direct effect of vitamin D on Type 2 deiodinase expression causing subsequential peripheral conversion of T4 into T3. However, the functional links among THs, vitamin D and the cardiovascular system, and clinical effects of coexisting abnormalities in this new troublesome triad, have not yet been reviewed. The main aim of this review is to discuss pathophysiology of this relationship, proposing new mechanistic insights involving vitamin D in the modulation of cardiometabolic disease and thyroid profile.

The Effects of Previous Thyroid Disease on the Susceptibility to, Morbidity of, and Mortality Due to COVID-19: A Nationwide Cohort Study in South Korea

This study aimed to investigate the associations of the susceptibility to, morbidity of, and mortality due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with thyroid diseases. Korea National Health Insurance Database Coronavirus disease 2019 (NHID-COVID-19) medical claim code data from 2015 to 2020 were analyzed. A total of 8070 COVID-19 patients and 32,280 matched control participants were evaluated for histories of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Graves’ disease, thyroiditis, and autoimmune thyroiditis. The relationships of susceptibility to, morbidity of, and mortality due to COVID-19 with hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Graves’ disease, thyroiditis, and autoimmune thyroiditis were analyzed using a conditional logistic regression. Hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Graves’ disease, thyroiditis, and autoimmune thyroiditis were not associated with susceptibility to, morbidity of, or mortality due to COVID-19. Graves’ disease was related to higher odds of mortality due to COVID-19 in the adjusted model but the confidence interval (CI) was wide, probably due to the small number of deaths among patients with Graves’ disease (aOR = 11.43, 95% CI = 1.29–101.22, p = 0.029). Previous histories of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Graves’ disease, thyroiditis, and autoimmune thyroiditis were not related to susceptibility to COVID-19. In addition, prior histories of thyroid diseases were not related to increased risks of COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality.

COVID-19 and Thyroid Diseases: A Bidirectional Impact

CONTEXT

COVID-19, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which has become the most lethal and rapidly moving pandemic since the Spanish influenza of 1918-1920, is associated with thyroid diseases.

METHODS

References were identified through searches of PubMed and MEDLINE for articles published from Jan 1, 2019 to February 19, 2021 by use of the MeSH terms "hypothyroidism", "hyperthyroidism", "thyroiditis", "thyroid cancer", "thyroid disease", in combination with the terms "coronavirus" and "COVID-19". Articles resulting from these searches and references cited in those articles were reviewed.

RESULTS

Though preexisting autoimmune thyroid disease appears unlikely to render patients more vulnerable to COVID-19, some reports have documented relapse of Graves' disease (GD) or newly diagnosed GD about 1 month following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Investigations are ongoing to investigate molecular pathways permitting the virus to trigger GD or cause subacute thyroiditis (SAT). While COVID-19 is associated with non-thyroidal illness, it is not clear whether it also increases the risk of developing autoimmune hypothyroidism. The possibility that thyroid dysfunction may also increase susceptibility for COVID-19 infection deserves further investigation. Recent data illustrate the importance of thyroid hormone in protecting the lungs from injury, including that associated with COVID-19.

CONCLUSION

The interaction between the thyroid gland and COVID-19 is complex and bidirectional. COVID-19 infection is associated with triggering of GD and SAT, and possibly hypothyroidism. Until more is understood regarding the impact of coronavirus on the thyroid gland, it seems advisable to monitor patients with COVID-19 for new thyroid disease or progression of preexisting thyroid disease.

Thyroid sequelae of COVID-19: a systematic review of reviews

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has the potential to cause multi-organ effects including endocrine disorders. The impact of COVID-19 on the thyroid gland has been described but several aspects have to be clarified. The systematic review was conceived to achieve more solid information about: 1) which thyroid disease or dysfunction should be expected in COVID-19 patients; 2) whether thyroid patients have a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection; 3) whether the management has to be adapted in thyroid patient when infected. The literature was searched by two authors independently. A 5-step search strategy was a priori adopted. Only reviews focused on the relationship between thyroid and COVID-19 were included. The last search was performed on February 21^st 2021. Two-hundred-forty-seven records was initially found and nine reviews were finally included. The reviews identified several potential thyroid consequences in COVID-19 patients, such as thyrotoxicosis, low-T3 syndrome and subacute thyroiditis, while no relevant data were found regarding the potential impact of COVID-19 on the management of patients on thyroid treatment. The present systematic review of reviews found that: 1) patients diagnosed with COVID-19 can develop thyroid dysfunction, frequently non-thyroidal illness syndrome when hospitalized in intensive care unit, 2) having a thyroid disease does not increase the risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection, 3) thyroid patients do not need a COVID-19-adapted follow-up. Anyway, several factors, such as critical illness and medications, could affect thyroid laboratory tests.

Research progress of traditional Chinese medicine against COVID-19

BACKGROUND

Currently, the number of confirmed cases and deaths of COVID-19 worldwide continues to rise, receiving great concern from the international community. However, there is no specific and widely accepted effective vaccines. The experience in controlling the outbreak in China has proven the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

OBJECTIVES

This review aims to evaluate the role of TCM in COVID-19 treatment, hoping to provide references for prevention and control of global pandemic.

DATA SOURCES

China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Web of Science, Baidu Scholar, ScienceDirect, Elsevier and PubMed were used to search literatures published from December 2019 to December 2020 by entering the keywords "Traditional Chinese medicine", "COVID-19″, "Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2″, "Pathogenesis", "Syndrome differentiation", "Prescriptions" and their combinations. Hence, we have performed an extensive review of research articles, reviews and primary scientific studies to identify TCM against COVID-19.

RESULTS

Among clinical treatments of COVID-19, several TCM prescriptions and characteristic therapies have been effectively suggested, the underlying mechanisms of which are mainly involved in antiviral, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and organ-protective effects of multi-components acting on multi-targets at multi-pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

This review may provide meaningful and feasible information that can be considered for the treatment of COVID-19 pandemic globally.

Thyroid disease and hypothyroidism are associated with poor COVID-19 outcomes: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) still becomes a global burden that affected people in different groups. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between thyroid disease and the outcome of COVID-19 patients.

METHOD

This was a meta-analysis study from articles obtained through a systematic literature search to investigate the relationship between thyroid disease and COVID-19 outcomes. Composite poor outcomes comprised of severity, mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and hospitalization.

RESULTS

A total of 31339 patients from 21 studies included in this study. Thyroid disorder was associated with increased composite poor outcome (risk ratio (RR) 1.87 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.53, 2.27], p < 0.001; I2 = 84%, p < 0.01), this included higher disease severity (RR 1.92 [1.40, 2.63], p < 0.05; I2 = 86%, p < 0.01), ICU admission (RR 1.61 [1.12, 2.32], p > 0.05; I2 = 32%, p < 0.05), mortality (RR 2.43 [1.44, 4.13], p < 0.05; I2 = 83%, p < 0.01), and hospitalization (RR 1.28 [1.17, 1.39], p < 0.05; I2 = 0%, p < 0.96). Meta-regression analysis indicated that age (p = 0.002) was a significant influence that affects the association. Also, the presence of unspecified thyroid disease (RR 1.91 [1.38, 2.65], p < 0.05; I2 = 81%, p < 0.01) and hypothyroidism (RR 1.90 [1.45, 2.55], p < 0.05; I2 = 85%, p < 0.01) during admission were associated with poor outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Thyroid abnormalities increased the risk of COVID-19 composite poor outcomes and were influenced by the patient's age. Abnormal thyroid and hypothyroidism, but not hyperthyroidism, were associated with poor COVID-19 outcomes.