Epidemiology

Hypopituitarism is relatively rare, with a prevalence of 37.5 to 45.0 cases per 100,000 and an incidence of 2-4 cases per 100,000 per year reported in an adult population in northwestern Spain.[1][2]​​ Epidemiological data from other regions is limited.[3]​

Pituitary adenoma (also known as pituitary neuroendocrine tumour [PitNET]) is the most common cause of hypopituitarism in adulthood.[3]​ Hypopituitarism may occur in 34% to 89% of adults with compressive non-functioning pituitary adenomas.[4] Functioning pituitary adenomas accounted for approximately 30% of cases of hypopituitarism in surveys conducted in northwestern Spain.[1]​​

In one retrospective single-centre cohort study, 61% of cases of childhood-onset combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD) were acquired, and 39% congenital.[5] Patients with congenital CPHD were diagnosed at a younger age than those with acquired hypopituitarism. The most common cause of acquired CPHD was craniopharyngioma.[5]​​

One meta-analysis of 12 studies found that hypopituitarism was associated with significantly increased risk of death compared with the general population.[6]​ Excess cardiovascular and cerebrovascular mortality was observed in patients with pituitary adenoma in a Swedish registry study.[7] Observational studies and reviews suggest that growth hormone deficiency contributes to increased risk of cardiovascular mortality.[8][9][10]​​​

Hypopituitarism as a consequence of traumatic brain injury is increasingly recognised.[11][12]​​

Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer