Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37698811›Full record

ArticleEndocrine2024

SARS-CoV-2 spread to endocrine organs is associated with obesity: an autopsy study of COVID-19 cases.

Anello Marcello Poma, Alessio Basolo, Greta Alì, Diana Bonuccelli, Iosè Di Stefano, Marco Conti, Paola Mazzetti, Rebecca Sparavelli, Paola Vignali, Elisabetta Macerola and 4 more

Open access · hybridAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Endocrine, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
1.4field-weighted citation impact, top 20% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 7 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Review
  3. Review
  4. Review
  5. SARS-CoV-2 Infection Alters the Phenotype and Gene Expression of Adipocytes.International journal of molecular sciences · 2024
    Article
  6. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors at 4 institutions in 1 country.

Anello Marcello PomaDepartment of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Alessio BasoloObesity and Lipodystrophy Center, Endocrinology Unit, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Greta AlìDepartment of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Diana BonuccelliDepartment of Forensic Medicine, Azienda USL Toscana Nordovest, Lucca, Italy.
Iosè Di StefanoDepartment of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Marco ContiDepartment of Forensic Medicine, Azienda USL Toscana Nordovest, Lucca, Italy.
Paola MazzettiRetrovirus Center and Virology Section, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Rebecca SparavelliDepartment of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Paola VignaliDepartment of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Elisabetta MacerolaDepartment of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Mauro PistelloRetrovirus Center and Virology Section, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Ferruccio SantiniObesity and Lipodystrophy Center, Endocrinology Unit, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Fulvio BasoloDepartment of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. fulvio.basolo@unipi.it.ORCID 0000-0002-3489-8280
Antonio TonioloGlobal Virus Network, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.
University of Pisa · ITAzienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana · ITAzienda Usl Toscana Centro · ITUniversity of Insubria · IT

Funding

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International 3-SRA-2017-492-A-N
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeSARS-CoV-2 infection may be limited to the respiratory tract or may spread to multiple organs. Besides disease severity, factors associated with virus spread within the host are elusive. Here, we tried to identify features associated with SARS-CoV-2 spread to endocrine organs.

methodsIn a retrospective autoptic cohort of 51 subjects who died because of COVID-19, we analyzed the severity and type of lung pathology, patients' features and the detection of virus in thyroid, testis, adrenal gland, pancreas, anterior pituitary, and the white adipose tissue (WAT).

resultsThe SARS-CoV-2 genome was detected in endocrine organs of 30/51 cases. The anterior pituitary and WAT were most frequently positive for virus. While pathological features of lung were not associated with the presence of virus in endocrine organs, obesity (BMI > 30) was significantly associated to virus detection in pancreas (p = 0.01) and thyroid (p = 0.04). WAT infection was detected more frequently in males (p = 0.03).

conclusionIn subject with obesity dying of COVID-19, the virus frequently spreads to endocrine organs. The findings emphasize the need for optimal treatment of patients with obesity at the very onset of COVID-19. Since post-COVID conditions remain a major issue worldwide, a rigorous follow-up of endocrine function-especially of thyroid and pancreas-is advocated in subjects with obesity.

Indexed as

COVID-19AutopsyHumansLungMaleObesityRetrospective StudiesSARS-CoV-2COVID-19EndocrineObesitySARS-CoV-2

Identifiers

PMID37698811
PMCPMC10806201
OpenAlexW4386624051

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.