THYROID DISORDERS INFLUENCE THE CLINICAL SEVERITY OF COVID-19: A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract

P The objective of this study was to evaluate the predictive impact of thyroid gland diseases on the clinical severity of COVID-19. **Study Design**: A prospective study was conducted at Khyber Medical University (KMU) from January 2021 to November 2021. A total of 150 patients of both genders, aged 25–80 years, were included. All participants provided informed consent for the collection of detailed demographic information, including age, gender, body mass index (BMI), residency, educational and socio-economic status. Each patient underwent PCR testing to confirm COVID-19 infection. Patients were divided into two groups: Group I (75 symptomatic) and Group II (75 asymptomatic). Blood samples were tested for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), thyroid peroxidase antibodies, and thyroglobulin antibodies. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0. **Results**: The study included 90 male patients (45 in each group) and 60 females. The mean age of Group I was 51.32 ± 4.19 years, with a BMI of 26.13 ± 13.23 kg/m², while Group II had a mean age of 49.45 ± 23.77 years and a BMI of 25.11 ± 9.44 kg/m². In Group I, 32 (42.7%) were from urban areas, 29 (38.9%) were literate, and 52 (69.3%) had a poor socio-economic status. In Group II, 35 (46.7%) were urban dwellers, 33 (44%) were educated, and 49 (65.3%) had a poor socio-economic status. Among Group I patients, 43 (57.3%) had severe disease, whereas only 18 (24%) of Group II had severe symptoms. Group I patients exhibited significantly lower blood levels of FT4 and FT3 compared to Group II. Overt thyroid disorders were significantly more common in Group I (9 patients, 12%) than in Group II (4 patients, 5.3%). Group I had 18 (24%) cases of thyroid nodules >1 cm, while Group II had 8 (10.7%) cases. Mortality rates were significantly higher in Group I (p < 0.05). The study concluded that thyroid hormone abnormalities were more prevalent in patients with severe COVID-19. FT3 levels at the time of hospital admission could serve as a prognostic indicator in COVID-19 patients, and thyroid nodules may be associated with the severity of the disease.