Subacute Thyroiditis in COVID-19 Patients

TLDR: This report may help physicians to identify lesser-known manifestations and complications of COVID-19 in patients with clinician manifestations and physical examination in favor of SAT.

Abstract: Introduction: Since December 2019, novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection has been identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness in Wuhan, China The classic presentation of COVID-19 infection was described as fever, myalgia, cough, and fatigue Whether coronavirus can directly attack the endocrine glands is unclear Objective: Post-viral subacute thyroiditis (SAT, de Quervain thyroiditis) has been reported following other viral infection A limited number of SAT after COVID-19 infection have been reported up to now Methods: Here, we reported 6 patients with SAT and positive COVID-19 serology tests Demographic, clinical, biochemical, and imaging data were presented Results: In this study, 6 patients (4 women and 2 men) with clinician manifestations and physical examination in favor of SAT were described Cervical ultrasonography showed bilateral hypoechoic areas in the thyroid gland which was suggestive of SAT Elevated C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, free thyroxine, free tri-iodothyronine, and undetectable thyrotropin were found in laboratory evaluations Both IgM and IgG were positive for COVID-19 infection, but the PCR tests were negative in all patients Patients had history of working in a COVID center and/or family member hospitalized due to COVID-19 pneumonia Patients were followed up for 1 month and were treated effectively with steroids Conclusion: This report may help physicians to identify lesser-known manifestations and complications of COVID-19 Early diagnosis of COVID-19 infection results in the prevention of further transmission © 2020 European Thyroid Association Published by S Karger AG, Basel All rights reserved