E-ISSN: 2148-4570 ISSN:2148-4570
The positivity rate of COVID-19 PCR test performed for screening before thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsy [Ankara Med J]
Ankara Med J. 2022; 22(1): 49-58 | DOI: 10.5505/amj.2022.51333

The positivity rate of COVID-19 PCR test performed for screening before thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsy

Müge Keskin1, Sefika Burcak Polat2, Belma Ozlem Tural Balsak1, Narin Nasiroglu Imga1, Husniye Baser2, Rahmet Guner3, Cevdet Aydın2, Oya Topaloglu2, Reyhan Ersoy2, Bekir Cakir2
1Ankara City Hospital, Endocrinology and Metabolism Department, Ankara
2Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, Faculty of Medicine, Endocrinology and Metabolism Department, Ankara
3Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, Faculty of Medicine, Infectious Disease and Clinical Microbiology Department, Ankara

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome. Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is spreading rapidly around the world. Asymptomatic infection is highly contagious, potentially leading to viral spread. We aimed to determine the rate of patients positive for COVID-19 PCR performed for safety measures before thyroid fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB).
METHODS: The patients applied to Ankara City Hospital, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics between 15.03.2020 and 15.08.2020 and underwent routine COVID-19 PCR test before FNAB were evaluated retrospectively. Age, gender, history of hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), use of levothyroxine (LT4) or antithyroid drug, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3], TSH, freeT3 (fT3), free (fT4) levels, FNAB results were obtained from the records.
RESULTS: Asymptomatic COVID-19 infection was detected in 29 (2.43%) of 1195 patients who underwent FNAB. There was no statistically significant difference between patients with COVID-19 PCR test positive asymptomatic and negative patients in terms of age, gender, median values of 25(OH)D3, TSH, fT3, fT4, the ratio of hypertension and T2DM.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The healthcare professionals work devotedly against COVID-19 infection, demonstrating a great example of struggle worldwide. FNAB is an invasive procedure requiring close contact. It should be known by the clinician that COVID-19 infection is associated with a high risk of transmission in asymptomatic patients. The rate of 2.43% in the population can not be underestimated and indicates the importance of the use of personal protective equipment and taking infection prevention measures.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, asymptomatic infection, FNAB, screening.

Müge Keskin, Sefika Burcak Polat, Belma Ozlem Tural Balsak, Narin Nasiroglu Imga, Husniye Baser, Rahmet Guner, Cevdet Aydın, Oya Topaloglu, Reyhan Ersoy, Bekir Cakir. The positivity rate of COVID-19 PCR test performed for screening before thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsy. Ankara Med J. 2022; 22(1): 49-58

Corresponding Author: Müge Keskin, Türkiye
Manuscript Language: English
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