The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is currently one of the major
health concerns worldwide accounting for many deaths and posing a great social
and economic burden. Early activation of adrenal hormone secretion is pivotal to
surviving systemic microbial infections. In addition, clinical studies
demonstrated that glucocorticoids might also be beneficial in reducing disease
progression and life deterioration in certain patients with COVID-19. Recent
studies demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 might target the adrenal glands, raising
the possibility that at least some COVID-19 complications may be associated with
adrenal dysfunction. Whether SARS-CoV-2 infection might cause adrenal
dysfunction remains unknown. Histopathological examinations provided evidence
that SARS-CoV-2 infection might indeed cause certain structural damage to the
adrenal glands, especially concerning its vascular system. However, since no
widespread cellular damage to cortical cells was observed, it is less likely
that those changes could lead to an immediate adrenal crisis. This assumption is
supported by the limited number of studies reporting rather adequate cortisol
levels in patients with acute COVID-19. Those studies, however, could not
exclude a potential late-onset or milder form of adrenal insufficiency. Although
structural damage to adrenal glands is a rarely reported complication of
COVID-19, some patients might develop a critical illness-related corticosteroid
insufficiency (CIRCI), or iatrogenic adrenal insufficiency resulting from
prolonged treatment with synthetic glucocorticoids. In this mini-review article,
we aimed at describing and discussing factors involved in the adrenal gland
function and possible dysfunction during COVID-19.