Endocrine vigilance in COVID-19

• Published in: Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association Vol. 70(Suppl 3); no. 5; p. 1
• Main Authors: VELAYOUDOM, Fritz, WIJEWICKRAMA, Piyumi, IRANATHUNGA, Ishara, SOMASUNDARAM, Noel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Pakistan Knowledge Bylanes 01.05.2020
• Subjects: Betacoronavirus; Care and treatment; Chronic Disease; Complications and side effects; Coronavirus Infections - complications; COVID-19; Development and progression; Endocrine diseases; Endocrine System Diseases - complications; Endocrine System Diseases - therapy; Humans; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral - complications; Risk Factors; SARS-CoV-2; Sri Lanka; COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2, Endocrine glands, Endocrine vigilance
• ISSN: 0030-9982
• DOI: 10.5455/JPMA.16

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel coronavirus responsible for a pandemic that emerged in December 2019. Heterogeneous clinical forms are described from asymptomatic to severe hypoxaemic acute respiratory syndrome with multisystem organ failure. The impact of this coronavirus disease 2019 on the endocrine glands remains unknown. However, the results of previous studies on viruses from the same family allow us to write proposals for patients followed for chronic endocrine diseases. Currently, if these subjects are infected with SARS-CoV-2, they must not stop their treatment. In some cases, hormone replacement doses have to be increased. In case of worsening clinical signs, hormonal biological monitoring must be done. This article will be helpful for improving the management of chronic endocrine diseases that could affect thyroid, adrenals, gonads and pituitary gland functions. Proposals could be applied in COVID-19 infected subjects or in those who have been in contact with COVID-19 infected people.