Epidemiological characteristics of newly diagnosed Graves' disease following the widespread outbreak of COVID-19 in Guangzhou, China

ObjectivesThere is currently insufficient evidence linking COVID-19 infection with Graves disease (GD). Following the complete lifting of COVID-19 restrictions on December 13, 2022, widespread infection in Guangzhou provides a basis for this study. This research aims to investigate the correlation between COVID-19 infection and GD onset, explore the epidemiological characteristics of newly diagnosed GD post-infection, and offer a scientific basis for treatment. MethodsThe study population included 494 GD outpatients treated in the Department of Endocrinology at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from January 1 to June 30 each year between 2021 and 2023. They were divided into two groups: 2023 (N=219) and 2021-2022 (N=275), based on the time node of widespread COVID-19 infection in 2023. The new diagnosis rate, general clinical characteristics, and serological test results of GD patients were analyzed before and after the outbreak of COVID-19. ResultsCompared with the 2021-2022 group, the new diagnosis rate of GD patients in 2023 showed a significant increase (12.8% vs. 8.4%, P<0.001). Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in pre-treatment thyrotropin receptor antibody levels (P=0.01), white blood cell count (P=0.02), and neutrophil proportion (P=0.04), while there was a significant increase in the proportion of patients with a family history (P=0.047). Follow-up until June 30 of that year revealed that the proportion of newly diagnosed GD patients developing hypothyroidism during treatment in 2023 significantly increased compared to the 2021-2022 group (P<0.001). ConclusionsAfter widespread infection of COVID-19, the diagnosis rate of newly diagnosed GD increased, which may influence the epidemiological characteristics of related GD patients before initial treatment and during treatment.