Endocrine Abstracts

Background: The Covid 19 pandemic has significantly changed people’s lives. For patients with chronic diseases, social isolation and distancing have become a provocative factor in metabolic control disorders of varying degrees. Patients avoided hospital visits as much as possible due to fear of infection. Also for the representatives of the medical field, the pandemic has become the basis for new ways of consulting patients (remote, teleconsultation). The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of lockdown on thyroid hormone metabolism in patients on levothyroxine replacement therapy residing in Adjara (The study includes the results of two clinics)

Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study identified patients who underwent a dispensary at an endocrinology clinic in 2019 and 2021 due to hypothyroidism and were on replacement therapy with levothyroxine. Demographic data of patients’ age, sex, and diagnosis were in the history of the disease. TSH and FT₄ level was also assessed, whether there were mid-term examinations and consultations (via social network/telemedicine service).

Results and Discussion: Data from 54 patients were reviewed as part of the study. Average 18 to 55 years, 18 males and 36 females. Of these, 38 patients were diagnosed with chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, in 16 cases with postoperative hypothyroidism. In 2019, patients’s TSH ranged from 0.9- 3.2 (norm 0.5 to 5.0 mIU / L) FT₄- 0.8-1.4 (0.7 to 1.9ng / dL). Patients received levothyroxine 100 mg - 150 mg; During the pandemic period, 32 (59%) patients were examined and their thyroid status was stable (using online services), and in 8 (14.8%) cases, iatrogenic thyrotoxicosis was observed (arbitrary dose increase), 11 (20.3%) cases-hypothyroidism (decrease dose); 3 (5%) In the case of the same dose, despite the lack of control, the thyroid profile was stable.

Conclusion: The results of the study show that social isolation and distancing is a risk factors for decompensation of chronic disease, the use of online services for such patients is innovative and useful for the stability of their condition.