Thyroid function analysis in COVID-19: A retrospective study from a single center

Background and objective Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an on-going epidemic with a multitude of long-ranging effects on the physiological balance of the human body. It can cause several effects on thyroid functions as well. We aimed to assess the lasting sequelae of COVID-19 on thyroid hormone and the clinical course of the disease as a result. Methods Out of 76 patients, 48 patients of COVID-19 positive and 28 patients of COVID-19 negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were assessed for thyroid functions, IL-6, and Procalcitonin between moderate, severe, and critical pneumonia on HRCT. Results Seventy-five percent of patients with COVID-19 had thyroid abnormalities and higher IL-6 levels (76.10 ± 82.35 vs. 6.99 ± 3.99, 95% CI 52.18–100.01, P-value <0.01). Logistic regression analysis suggested TT3 (P-value 0.01), IL-6 (P-value <0.01), and Procalcitonin (P-value 0.03) as independent risk factors for COVID-19. ROC curve demonstrated IL-6 as the most sensitive marker (P-value <0.01), and TT3, and Procalcitonin as the predictor for COVID-19 disease. Conclusion This pilot study from Pakistan demonstrates that changes in serum TSH and TT3 levels may be important manifestations of the courses of COVID-19 pneumonia.

Thyroid Function Analysis in COVID-19: A Retrospective Study from a Single Center

Background and ObjectiveCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an on-going epidemic with a multitude of long-ranging effects on the physiological balance of the human body. It can cause several effects on thyroid functions as well. We aimed to assess the lasting sequelae of COVID-19 on thyroid hormone and the clinical course of the disease as a result.MethodsOut of 76 patients, 48 patients of COVID-19 positive and 28 patients of COVID-19 negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were assessed for thyroid functions, IL-6, and Procalcitonin between moderate, severe, and critical pneumonia.ResultsSeventy-five percent of patients with COVID-19 had thyroid abnormalities and higher IL-6 levels (76.10 ± 82.35 vs. 6.99 ± 3.99, 95% CI 52.18-100.01, P-value <0.01). Logistic regression analysis suggested TT3 (P-value 0.01), IL-6 (P-value <0.01), and Procalcitonin (P-value 0.03) as independent risk factors for COVID-19. ROC curve demonstrated IL-6 as the most sensitive marker (P-value <0.01), and TT3, and Procalcitonin as the predictor for COVID-19 disease.ConclusionThis pilot study from Pakistan demonstrates that changes in serum TSH and TT3 levels may be important manifestations of the courses of COVID-19 pneumonia.

Improvement of Severe COVID-19 in an Elderly Man by Sequential Use of Antiviral Drugs

Although a variety of existing drugs are being tested for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), no efficacious treatment has been found so far, particularly for severe cases. We report successful recovery in an elderly patient with severe pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Despite administration of multiple antiviral drugs, including lopinavir/ritonavir, chloroquine, and favipiravir, the patient’s condition did not improve. However, after administration of another antiviral drug, remdesivir, we were able to terminate invasive interventions, including ECMO, and subsequently obtained negative polymerase chain reaction results. Although further validation is needed, remdesivir might be effective in treating COVID-19.

Safety of fibrinogen concentrate: analysis of more than 27 years of pharmacovigilance data

SummaryFibrinogen concentrate use as a haemostatic agent has been increasingly explored. This study evaluates spontaneous reports of potential adverse drug reactions (ADRs) that occurred during postmarketing pharmacovigilance of Haemocomplettan P/RiaSTAP, and reviews published safety data. This descriptive study analysed postmarketing safety reports recorded in the CSL Behring pharmacovigilance database from January 1986 to December 2013. A literature review of clinical studies published during the same period was performed. Commercial data indicated that 2,611,294 g of fibrinogen concentrate were distributed over the pharmacovigilance period, main-contribonding to 652,824 standard doses of 4 g each, across a range of clinical settings and indications. A total of 383 ADRs in 106 cases were reported (approximately 1 per 24,600 g or 6,200 standard doses). Events of special interest included possible hypersensitivity reactions in 20 cases (1 per 130,600 g or 32,600 doses), possible thromboembolic events in 28 cases (1 per 93,300 g or 23,300 doses), and suspected virus transmission in 21 cases (1 per 124,300 g or 31,000 doses). One virus transmission case could not be analysed due to insufficient data; for all other cases, a causal relationship was assessed as unlikely due to negative polymerase chain reaction tests and/or alternative explanations. The published literature revealed a similar safety profile. In conclusion, underreporting of ADRs is a known limitation of pharmacovigilance. However, the present assessment indicates that fibrinogen concentrate is administered across a range of indications, with few ADRs and a low thromboembolic event rate. Overall, fibrinogen concentrate showed a promising safety profile.Institution to which work should be attributed: CSL Behring, Marburg, Germany.