ENDOCRINE DISORDERS IN THE CONTEXT OF COVID-19

Most endocrine diseases are chronic, with up to 80% of cases occurring in patients with endocrinopathies, primarily diabetes mellitus and thyroid diseases, who receive regular outpatient care. For such people, an endocrinologist is most often also a general practitioner, so it is their responsibility to promptly explain to patients with diabetes, thyroid, pituitary and adrenal diseases, and endocrine tumors how to behave in the new conditions of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. This infectious disease is most severe in people over 65 years of age with chronic diseases, especially endocrinopathies. This literature review summarizes the current information on the pathogenesis and course of COVID-19, including in the most vulnerable groups. The article provides up-to-date information on measures to prevent infection, the specifics of patient-doctor contact in conditions of self-isolation and quarantine measures, as well as what additional treatment measures are necessary in the development of COVID-19 in patients with the most severe endocrinopathies.