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Association of Hypothyroidism with Morbidity and Mortality in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study in a University Hospital in Northwest Iran
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Pari Tahazadeh1   , Maryam Zaare nahandi2 , Naser Moaiiednia3 |
1- M.D, Researcher, Faculty of Medicine, Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
2- M.D, Specialist in Internal Medicine, Subspeciality in Nephrology, Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Kidney Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran , dr_mzaare@yahoo.com
3- M.D, Specialist in Internal Medicine, Subspeciality in Pulmonology, Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch, Tabriz, Iran. |
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Abstract: (34 Views) |
Background: Hypothyroidism is one of the most common endocrine disorders and may influence the course of viral infections such as COVID-19 by reducing immune function and enhancing inflammatory responses. Previous studies have suggested a potential interaction between hypothyroidism and COVID-19 severity. This study aimed to investigate the association between hypothyroidism and clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 2,461 hospitalized COVID-19 patients at Sina Educational and Medical Center in Tabriz, Iran, from February 2020 to December 2020. Demographic data, thyroid disease status, length of hospital stay, ICU admission, need for mechanical ventilation, and laboratory markers (CRP, LDH, ferritin) were extracted from medical records and analyzed using SPSS software. A significance level of 0.05 was considered.
Results: Ninety-three patients (3.7%) had a history of hypothyroidism. The mortality rate was higher among hypothyroid patients (31.2% vs. 25.3%), but this difference was not statistically significant (P=0.221). Similarly, no significant differences were observed in ICU admission (P=0.089) or need for ventilation (P=0.607). However, hypothyroid patients had a significantly longer hospital stay (P=0.015), and their LDH levels were also significantly higher (P=0.045). There were no significant differences in CRP or ferritin levels. Elevated CRP, LDH, and prolonged hospitalization were significantly associated with increased mortality.
Conclusion: In this study, hypothyroidism was associated only with longer hospital stay and higher LDH levels, while no significant association was found with severe clinical outcomes such as mortality, ICU admission, or the need for mechanical ventilation. Further studies with more rigorous control of potential confounders are warranted to better clarify the possible role of thyroid status in the clinical course of COVID-19.
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| Keywords: COVID-19, Hypothyroidism, Mortality, Hospitalization |
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Type of Article: Research Article |
Subject:
Forensic Epidemiology
Received: 2025/06/10 | Revised: 2025/12/24 | Accepted: 2025/12/14
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