Hypophysitis in COVID-19: a systematic review

Authors' conclusion

Although rare, hypophysitis related to COVID-19 is documented in the literature exhibiting distinct characteristics such as a homogeneous gender prevalence, an average age of onset around 35 years, and primary symptoms of headache, polyuria, and polydipsia which are indicative of angiotensin-vasopressin deficiency. This is in contrast with primary autoimmune hypophysitis characterized by a female prevalence and typical symptoms with headache and visual impairment. Longer-term follow-up of these patients is needed to better understand the potential lasting impact on pituitary function and radiological improvement. Future research should also explore the presence of anti-pituitary antibodies and the other possible pathophysiological mechanisms potentially involved in these cases.