Thyroid Function and COVID-19 Susceptibility and Its Severity: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study

Abstract

Several observational studies have confirmed the relationship between thyroid hormones and Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but this correlation remains controversial. We performed a two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis based on the public available largest summary datasets. Summary statistics with 49,269 individuals for free thyroxine (FT4) and 54,288 for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were used as exposure instruments. Genome-wide association studies of the susceptibility (N = 1,644,784), hospitalization (N = 1,887,672) and very severe disease (N = 1,383,241) of COVID-19 were used as the outcome. We used the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method as the primary analysis, and MR-Egger regression, weighted median, and Robust Adjusted Profile Score (RAPS) were utilized as sensitivity analysis. Genetic predisposition to higher serum levels FT4 within the normal range was negatively associated with the risk of COVID-19 hospitalization (OR = 0.818; 95%CI = 0.718-0.932; P = 2.6 × 10-3) and very severe disease (OR = 0.758; 95%CI = 0.626-0.923; P = 5.8 × 10-3), but not susceptibility. There is no evidence that genetically predicted circulating TSH levels are associated with COVID-19 susceptibility and severity risk. Neither apparent pleiotropy nor heterogeneity were detected in the sensitivity analysis. In summary, we found that higher FT4 levels may reduce the risk of COVID-19 severity, suggesting that thyroid function testing may be required for patients with COVID-19.

Eliminating COVID‐19 as the immediate culprit for igniting pancreatitis

“…Intestinal barrier impairment, dysbiosis of gut microbiota, and perturbation of metabolites are prevalent occurrences among individuals with COVID‐19. Extensive research has consistently shown the association between microbiota composition and the morbidity, exacerbation, and mortality rates seen in COVID‐19 patients 51–55 . The gut microbiota facilitates the assessment of sickness severity in individuals with COVID‐19 56 .…”

Exploring the Potential Association between COVID-19 and Thyroid Cancer: A Mendelian Randomization Study

“…This study adhered to the most recent STROBE-MR guidelines. 20,21 For the outcome dataset, we obtained genetic instruments for thyroid cancer (649 cases and 431 controls) from publicly available summary statistics. 22 All datasets are downloadable from the IEU OpenGWAS database (https://gwas.mrcieu.ac.uk/datasets/).…”

“…For the exposure (COVID-19 susceptibility, COVID-19 hospitalization, and very severe COVID-19), we employed summary statistics from GWAS of the COVID-19 susceptibility and severity. These data encompassed 38,984 individuals of European ancestry with COVID-19 susceptibility and 1,644,784 controls, 9986 individuals of European ancestry with COVID-19 hospitalization and 1,877,672 controls, and 5101 individuals of European ancestry with very severe COVID-19 and 1,383,241 controls. , For the outcome dataset, we obtained genetic instruments for thyroid cancer (649 cases and 431 controls) from publicly available summary statistics . All datasets are downloadable from the IEU OpenGWAS database ().…”

“…2,3 Despite the widespread belief among the public that COVID-19 infection may increase the risk of health issues such as thyroid cancer, empirical evidence supporting such claims remains elusive. 4 COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, presents a unique challenge to individuals with pre-existing health conditions, including cancer. 5 Cancer patients, already considered vulnerable due to compromised immune systems, face higher risks during the pandemic.…”

“…In the postpandemic era, the world has witnessed an unprecedented surge in scientific research on the various impacts of COVID-19 on human health . Among these, the potential association between COVID-19 and various diseases, including thyroid cancer, has garnered significant attention. , Despite the widespread belief among the public that COVID-19 infection may increase the risk of health issues such as thyroid cancer, empirical evidence supporting such claims remains elusive …”