Association of hypothyroidism with outcomes in hospitalized adults with COVID‐19: Results from the International SCCM Discovery Viral Infection and Respiratory Illness Universal Study (VIRUS): COVID‐19 Registry
Authors' conclusion
In an international registry, hypothyroidism was identified in around 1 of every 12 adult hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Pre-existing hypothyroidism in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 was not associated with higher disease severity or increased risk of mortality or ICU admissions. However, more research on the possible effects of COVID-19 on the thyroid gland and its function is needed in the future.
Study context
- Population
- Adults ≥18 years hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, March 2020–February 2021, international SCCM VIRUS COVID-19 registry
- Participants
- 20,366 adults
- Exposure
- Pre-existing hypothyroidism vs no hypothyroidism
- Hypothyroidismn = 1,616
- Outcome
- (1) Disease severity per WHO Scale for Clinical Improvement (highest level during index hospitalization), (2) in-hospital mortality, (3) hospital-free days
Methodological detailsmultinational registry
- Multinational registry
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Primary outcomes (adjusted)
Estimate (95% CI)P value
Hypothyroidismvs No hypothyroidism
OR, severe disease (WHO severity index) 1.02(0.92–1.13)
P = 0.69Hypothyroidismvs No hypothyroidism
OR, in-hospital mortality 1.03(0.92–1.15)
P = 0.58Estimated difference, hospital-free days, days (95% CI)P value
Between Hypothyroidism and No hypothyroidism
0.01(−0.45 to 0.47)
P = 0.97Observational data: associations, not effects.
Secondary outcomes
Prevalence of pre-existing hypothyroidism
- Pre-existing hypothyroidism
- 1616 (7.9%)
Intensive care unit (ICU) admission and ICU mortality
- Pre-existing hypothyroidism not associated with ICU admission or ICU mortality in unadjusted and adjusted analysis
Original publication
Association of hypothyroidism with outcomes in hospitalized adults with COVID‐19: Results from the International SCCM Discovery Viral Infection and Respiratory Illness Universal Study (VIRUS): COVID‐19 Registry. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). Published 2 March 2022. doi:10.
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