Incidence of autoimmune thyroiditis following SARS-CoV-2 infection: A retrospective cohort study at Tikrit teaching hospital

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Emerging evidence suggests a link between COVID-19 and the development of autoimmune conditions, including autoimmune thyroiditis. However, the prevalence and characteristics of this association remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the incidence of autoimmune thyroiditis in patients recovering from COVID-19 and explore the potential demographic and clinical risk factors associated with its development. This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Tikrit Teaching Hospital from March 2021 to January 2024. In total, 780 patients with confirmed COVID-19 were included in this study. Patients with a history of autoimmune thyroid disease were excluded. Medical records were analyzed for evidence of new-onset autoimmune thyroiditis, identified by elevated thyroid autoantibodies (thyroid peroxidase antibodies [TPOAb] and thyroglobulin antibodies [TGAb]) and abnormal thyroid function tests (TFTs) after post-COVID-19 recovery. Demographic information, details of COVID-19, and pre- and post-infection TFTs were extracted and analyzed. Of the 780 patients, 62 (7.9%) developed autoimmune thyroiditis after recovery from COVID-19. This condition was more prevalent in females (67.7% of cases) and was associated with severe COVID-19 infection (p < 0.001). Patients who developed autoimmune thyroiditis exhibited significantly higher levels of TPOAb and TGAb after infection (both p < 0.001). Thyroid function test results indicated marked changes, predominantly showing hypothyroidism. This study provides evidence for a significant association between COVID-19 and the onset of autoimmune thyroiditis, highlighting the need to monitor thyroid function in COVID-19 survivors. Further research is necessary to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this association and identify at-risk patients.