Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2025
10:19
Substernal Thyroid Biopsy Using Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration
Published on: November 10, 2014
25.6K
Subacute thyroiditis in the SARS-CoV-2 era: a multicentre prospective study
Sara De Vincentis1,2, Simona Loiacono1, Eleonora Zanni1
1Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
European Thyroid Journal
|June 5, 2024
Summary
Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) following SARS-CoV-2 infection shows no difference in onset or outcome compared to cases without prior COVID-19. This prospective study confirms SARS-CoV-2 does not impact SAT evolution or recovery.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) has been anecdotally linked to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- Prospective data on the clinical course and outcomes of SAT in relation to SARS-CoV-2 are lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of subacute thyroiditis (SAT) in patients with and without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- To ascertain the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the onset, evolution, and resolution of SAT.
Main Methods:
- A 3-year prospective, longitudinal, multicentre study enrolled patients diagnosed with SAT.
- Data collected included clinical presentation, thyroid function tests, inflammatory markers, thyroid ultrasound, and SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody levels.
- Patients were followed up for 12 months.
Main Results:
- Of 66 enrolled subjects, 13.5% (7/52) had prior SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID+).
- COVID+ patients reported more respiratory symptoms and fever at baseline.
- No significant differences were observed between COVID+ and COVID- groups regarding SAT diagnosis, treatment, or outcome at 12-month follow-up.
Conclusions:
- SARS-CoV-2 infection does not appear to influence the clinical presentation, management, or outcome of subacute thyroiditis.
- This study provides the first prospective evidence that prior COVID-19 does not alter the course of SAT.
