Elevated Risk of New-Onset Thyroid Disease Associated With SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A 4.5-Year Observational Study
Authors' conclusion
SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with an increased risk of all forms of new-onset thyroid disease investigated both in hospitalized and nonhospitalized patients. These findings suggest that enhanced screening for thyroid dysfunction may be warranted among individuals recovering from COVID-19.
Study context
- Population
- Patients without prior thyroid disease, Montefiore Health System
- Participants
- 15,372 / 41,757 / 343,348 / 171,141
- Exposure
- Hospitalized and nonhospitalized COVID-19 vs contemporary COVID-negative controls
- Hospitalized COVID-19n = 15,372
- Nonhospitalized COVID-19n = 41,757
- Contemporary COVID-negative controlsn = 343,348reference
- Historical controlsn = 171,141
- Outcome
- New-onset thyroid disease (all), hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, other/unspecified thyroid disease; Cox regression with IPW
Methodological detailsinverse probability weighting, sensitivity analyses: multivariate adjustment, 1:1 propensity score matching, historical controls
- Inverse probability weighting
- Sensitivity analyses: multivariate adjustment, 1:1 propensity score matching, historical controls
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
New-onset thyroid disease vs contemporary COVID-negative controls
Each group vs contemporary COVID-negative controlsEstimate (CI)
Hospitalized COVID-19
IPW-adjusted HR, all thyroid disease 2.11(2.03–2.19)
Hospitalized COVID-19
HR, hypothyroidism 2.02(1.92–2.12)
Hospitalized COVID-19
HR, hyperthyroidism 2.31(2.13–2.50)
Hospitalized COVID-19
HR, other/unspecified thyroid disease 2.27(2.12–2.43)
Nonhospitalized COVID-positive
HR, all thyroid disease 1.40(1.35–1.46)
Nonhospitalized COVID-positive
HR, hypothyroidism 1.37(1.31–1.43)
Nonhospitalized COVID-positive
HR, hyperthyroidism 1.56(1.45–1.68)
Nonhospitalized COVID-positive
HR, other/unspecified thyroid disease 1.42(1.34–1.51)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
- Sensitivity analyses were consistent with the main findings
- Risk estimates attenuated in the nonhospitalized cohort vs historical controls
Original publication
Elevated Risk of New-Onset Thyroid Disease Associated With SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A 4.5-Year Observational Study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Published 23 December 2025. doi:10.
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