Can SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), like SARS-CoV, have an immunogenic response to the adrenocorticotropic hormone? Is it possible that it triggers cortisol insufficiency and increases the chances of morbidity and mortality in a COVID-19 patient with a pre-existing critical illness? We found the answers in an article titled ‘Association between high serum total cortisol concentrations and mortality from COVID-19’. Here we give you its summarised version for a quick read.

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The wave of SARS-CoV (severe acute respiratory syndrome) that came much before that of SARS-CoV-2 or the new Coronavirus, was suggested to have implications on the immunogenic response of the human body. Hence, it was important to find out if SARS-CoV-2 could also function similarly, triggering cortisol insufficiency in infected patients with critical illness and thereby, increase the related morbidity and mortality.

Researchers Tan T., Khoo B, Mills EG, Phylactou M, Patel B, Eng PC, et al. conducted a study to verify if the aforementioned physiological process induced in the body could further the pathophysiology of COVID-19. Their findings were published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology Journal (2020) in an article titled ‘Association between high serum total cortisol concentrations and mortality from COVID-19’. [1] Here is a summary.