Epidemiology
Hypopituitarism is relatively rare, with a prevalence of 45 cases per 100,000 and an incidence of about 4 cases per 100,000 per year in the normal population.[1]Regal M, Páramo C, Sierra SM, et al. Prevalence and incidence of hypopituitarism in an adult Caucasian population in northwestern Spain. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2001 Dec;55(6):735-40.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11895214?tool=bestpractice.com
In contrast, the prevalence of pituitary adenomas/incidentalomas found at autopsy or on imaging studies is relatively high - up to 27% of post-mortem studies and 10% of magnetic resonance imaging studies.[2]Molitch ME, Russell EJ. The pituitary "incidentaloma". Ann Intern Med. 1990 Jun 15;112(12):925-31.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2187392?tool=bestpractice.com
There are no specific sex, ethnic, geographical, or age group trends in the incidence or prevalence of the most frequent aetiologies of hypopituitarism. Hypopituitarism has been associated with a 1.8-fold higher mortality compared with an age- and sex-matched population.[3]Rosén T, Bengtsson BA. Premature mortality due to cardiovascular disease in hypopituitarism. Lancet. 1990 Aug 4;336(8710):285-8.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1973979?tool=bestpractice.com
Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular death rates are higher in patients with hypopituitarism compared with the normal population.[4]Nilsson B, Gustavasson-Kadaka E, Bengtsson BA, et al. Pituitary adenomas in Sweden between 1958 and 1991: incidence, survival and mortality. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2000 Apr;85(4):1420-5.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10770176?tool=bestpractice.com
Growth hormone deficiency is most probably responsible for this increased mortality from cardiovascular disease.[3]Rosén T, Bengtsson BA. Premature mortality due to cardiovascular disease in hypopituitarism. Lancet. 1990 Aug 4;336(8710):285-8.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1973979?tool=bestpractice.com
Hypopituitarism as a consequence of traumatic brain injury is increasingly being recognised.[5]Leal-Cerro A, Rincón MD, Domingo MP, et al. Neuroendocrine dysfunction and brain damage: a consensus statement [in Spanish]. Endocrinol Nutr. 2009 Jun-Jul;56(6):293-302.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19695511?tool=bestpractice.com
[6]Blair JC. Prevalence, natural history and consequences of posttraumatic hypopituitarism: a case for endocrine surveillance. Br J Neurosurg. 2010 Feb;24(1):10-7.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20158347?tool=bestpractice.com
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