Caspian Journal of Internal Medicine
Babol University of Medical Sciences
Sat, Sep 12, 2026
[Archive]
Volume 17, Issue 3 (Summer 2026)
Caspian J Intern Med 2026, 17(3): 671-677 |
Back to browse issues page
Ethics code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1400.228
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Hosseinzadeh M, Shirvandehi M M, Sehat N, Moslemi A, Ghaznavi-Rad E, Khansarinejad B, et al . Hormonal Dysregulation in COVID-19: A Comparative Analysis of Cortisol, Growth Hormone, and IGF-1 Levels Across Different Severities of Illness. Caspian J Intern Med 2026; 17 (3) :671-677
URL: http://caspjim.com/article-1-4939-en.html
URL: http://caspjim.com/article-1-4939-en.html
Mohammad Hosseinzadeh 
, Mohammad milad Shirvandehi , Navid Sehat , Azam Moslemi , Ehsanollah Ghaznavi-Rad , Behzad Khansarinejad , Hossein Sarmadian , Mohammad Rezvanfar , Farideh Jalali Mashayekhi *
, Mohammad milad Shirvandehi , Navid Sehat , Azam Moslemi , Ehsanollah Ghaznavi-Rad , Behzad Khansarinejad , Hossein Sarmadian , Mohammad Rezvanfar , Farideh Jalali Mashayekhi *
Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, School of Medical Sciences, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, I.R. Iran. , mashayekhif@yahoo.com
Abstract: (7 Views)
Background: COVID-19 has multiple effects on the endocrine system, particularly altering the levels of growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and cortisol, which may influence disease severity and prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate circulating levels of GH, IGF-1, and cortisol in COVID-19 patients categorized by disease severity, including outpatients, inpatients, and intensive care unit (ICU) patients.
Methods: A total of 118 confirmed COVID-19 patients were divided into three groups: outpatients, inpatients, and ICU patients. Serum levels of GH, IGF-1, and cortisol were measured using ELISA and statistically compared across groups. Correlations among these hormones were also analyzed.
Results: Cortisol levels were highest in inpatients, intermediate in ICU patients, and lowest in outpatients. GH levels were reduced in ICU patients compared to other groups, with no difference between inpatients and outpatients. IGF-1 levels were highest in outpatients, followed by inpatients, and lowest in ICU patients. A significant inverse correlation between cortisol and IGF-1 was observed only in ICU patients (p = 0.013).
Conclusion: COVID-19 severity is associated with dysregulation of GH, IGF-1, and cortisol. The inverse cortisol–IGF-1 correlation in ICU patients suggests the impact of physiological stress on hormonal imbalance and impaired recovery. Endocrine interventions may improve clinical outcomes in severe cases.
Methods: A total of 118 confirmed COVID-19 patients were divided into three groups: outpatients, inpatients, and ICU patients. Serum levels of GH, IGF-1, and cortisol were measured using ELISA and statistically compared across groups. Correlations among these hormones were also analyzed.
Results: Cortisol levels were highest in inpatients, intermediate in ICU patients, and lowest in outpatients. GH levels were reduced in ICU patients compared to other groups, with no difference between inpatients and outpatients. IGF-1 levels were highest in outpatients, followed by inpatients, and lowest in ICU patients. A significant inverse correlation between cortisol and IGF-1 was observed only in ICU patients (p = 0.013).
Conclusion: COVID-19 severity is associated with dysregulation of GH, IGF-1, and cortisol. The inverse cortisol–IGF-1 correlation in ICU patients suggests the impact of physiological stress on hormonal imbalance and impaired recovery. Endocrine interventions may improve clinical outcomes in severe cases.
Keywords: COVID-19, Growth hormone (GH), Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), Cortisol, Disease severity
Policy Brief: Original Article |
Subject:
Infectious Diseases
Received: 2025/10/7 | Accepted: 2026/04/21 | Published: 2026/06/9
Received: 2025/10/7 | Accepted: 2026/04/21 | Published: 2026/06/9
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
