Subacute Thyroiditis—Is it Really Linked to Viral Infection?
Authors' conclusion
Our study provides strong evidence that despite their seasonal pattern, Echoviruses and Coxsackieviruses are not the cause of SAT. Moreover, no other analyzed virus (including Influenza A and B, Parainfluenza, Rhinovirus, Human Coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2) showed any association.
Study context
- Population
- Hospitalized patients with subacute thyroiditis (SAT), Germany, 2015 to 2022; surveillance data on infectious diseases from the same years
- Outcome
- Association of virus incidence (enteroviruses and other pathogens) with SAT frequency
Methodological detailsnational registry data, time-series analysis, Granger causality, Modeling of seasonality by month, polynomial autoregression and Granger causality
- National registry data
- Time-series analysis
- Granger causality
- Modeling of seasonality by month, polynomial autoregression and Granger causality
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
2015 to 2022
- Higher SAT incidence in women and a seasonal peak in late summer coinciding with enterovirus seasonality until 2019
- In 2020, SAT pattern unchanged despite marked reduction of enteroviruses and other pathogens (except SARS-CoV-2) due to hygienic measures
- SAT seasonality in 2021 and 2022 apparently unaltered through the COVID-19 pandemic
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Subacute Thyroiditis—Is it Really Linked to Viral Infection? J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Published 15 January 2025. doi:10.
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