Emergence of Autoimmune Type 1 Diabetes and Acute Adrenal Crisis Following COVID-19

Objective: Several case reports have indicated a possible link between Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and new-onset autoimmune disorders while co-precipitation of autoimmune type 1 diabetes and Addison’s disease has never been reported to date. Case Description: A 60-year-old male presented with extreme fatigue and weight loss three weeks after testing positive for COVID-19. The course of COVID-19 was mild, without pulmonary involvement. The patient showed symptoms and laboratory signs of new-onset diabetes without ketoacidosis and acute primary adrenal insufficiency, latter of which was confirmed with an ACTH stimulation test. GAD-65 antibody and antibodies to the adrenal cortex were positive in high titers, and the patient also had primary hypothyroidism associated with autoimmune thyroiditis. Previous medical records of the patient revealed no hyperglycemia or electrolyte abnormalities prior to current admission, but an earlier test result compatible with primary hypothyroidism. The patient was diagnosed with autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type II (APS II). Clinical and laboratory findings improved after starting appropriate hormone replacement therapies along with insulin. Conclusions: Evidence mostly obtained from case reports suggests that COVID-19 may induce a variety of autoimmune disorders in susceptible subjects. In our case, COVID-19 might have simply precipitated T1D and adrenal crisis in whom autoimmune thyroiditis may have been the first manifestation of an undiagnosed APS II. Or, COVID-19 may have triggered autoimmunity in the patient who was possibly predisposed to autoimmune disorders, and led to the development of APS II. Anyhow, more research is required to evaluate the possible link between COVID-19 and autoimmune disorders.