ASSOCIATION OF THYROID AUTOIMMUNITY WITH POST COVID-19 TELOGEN EFFLUVIUM IN FEMALES: A CASE CONTROL STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: Telogen effluvium is a common cause of diffuse hair loss following systemic stress. There were many reports documented post-COVID-19-telogen effluvium. Thyroid hormones have important role in the hair follicle cycle. In this study we investigated thyroid hormones profile including thyroid autoantibodies in cases of post-COVID-19-telogen effluvium Aims: To evaluate the association between thyroid function, autoimmune markers, and post-COVID-19 telogen effluvium in females. Settings and Design: A case–control study was conducted in Erbil Dermatology Teaching Center, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. Methods and Material: Study conducted including 107 female patients with post-COVID-19 telogen effluvium and 99 age matched controls without hair loss. Thyroid profile parameters (free T3, Free T4, TSH, Anti-TPO, Anti-Tg) obtained from the patients and control group subjects. Statistical analysis used: Means of the thyroid parameters been calculated from both groups and compared. Multivariate logistic regression and ROC curve analysis were performed. Results: Patients with hair loss had significantly higher levels of fT4, TSH, and Anti-TPO antibody (p < 0.001). Anti-TPO was the only independent predictor (OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.03–1.08). ROC analysis demonstrated excellent diagnostic performance of Anti-TPO antibody (AUC = 0.943) with an optimal cutoff of 7 IU/mL. Conclusions: Post-COVID-19 telogen effluvium is strongly associated with thyroid autoimmunity. Anti-TPO is a valuable predictive biomarker and should be considered in the evaluation of affected patients.