How Does Hypothyroidism Prolong Hospital Stay in COVID-19 Patients?

 There is inconsistent data regarding COVID-19 prognosis in patients with background hypothyroid disorder. The present study aimed to evaluate the severity of symptoms and blood parameters in COVID-19 patients with hypothyroidism.

 This study investigated 100 COVID-19 patients (50 individuals with a history of hypothyroidism and 50 patients without thyroid disorder [euthyroid]). Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected from the COVID-19 registry database in Shahid Mustafa Khomeini Hospital. All patients were admitted and treated between March and December 2020. Hospitalization duration, the ICU admissions rate, and blood laboratory tests were evaluated in this study.

 Hospitalization period was significantly longer in the hypothyroid group, compared to the euthyroid group (P=0.009). The number of red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin level, and hematocrit percentage were lower in the hypothyroid group (P=0.001, P=0.003, and P=0.003, respectively). Nevertheless, the number of white blood cells (WBCs) and inflammatory indicators, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were the same in both groups.

 Although background hypothyroidism had no significant effect on inflammation severity caused by COVID-19; however; it extended hospital stay in these patients. Anemia, a common problem in hypothyroidism, may explain longer hospitalization in hypothyroid COVID-19 patients.