Advances in Subacute Thyroiditis: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Therapies

Abstract

Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is an inflammatory thyroid disease that is often associated with viral infections. In particular, SARS-COV-2 and its vaccine were found to cause SAT during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. However, the pathogenesis, clinical features, and processes still need further profiling. Recently, there are new findings and understanding about the pathogenic mechanisms of SAT. Some HLA genes have been shown to increase the risk of SAT development, and inflammatory cytokine storms could promote the progression of SAT. Some new diagnostic criteria for SAT have been proposed to facilitate clinicians' diagnosis of SAT when facing atypical symptoms in a manner of rapidity and accuracy. Plus, new treatments for SAT with herbal medicines have been proposed recently as an addition to the conventional steroidal drugs and NSAIDs. This review will provide a summary of these recent progresses of SAT on pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapies with emphasis on the role of a variety of virus pathogens, including the COVID-19 virus.