17^th European Diabetes and Endocrinology Congress

Pituitary and Neuroendocrinology

With a prevalence of about 10% on MR imaging in the general population, Pituitary tumors are more common than typically thought.  At the same time, many endocrinologists and internists may not have sufficient exposure to deal confidently with a variety of pituitary disorders.  If not properly treated, pituitary disorders may result in significant morbidity and lower life expectancy.  The pituitary is the center of human sexuality and reproduction. Other parts of the body do most of the work but the pituitary initiates and controls the processes. Because of hormones about 30 and 40% of the population suffers sexual dysfunction at some time in their life. Endocrinology Society studies have reported that CDI is more prevalent in children and older adults (>80 years of age). Primary tumors of the pituitary fossa result in CDI in 50% of children and 30% of adults, while head trauma to the posterior pituitary gland accounts for 2% of cases in children and 17% in adults. Hypopituitarism is listed as a rare disorder by the National Institutes of health. To date, there are no US-based studies on the prevalence and incidence of hypopituitarism.  One published report indicated it affects less than 200,000 individuals in the US.  And the 2010 National Hospital Discharge Survey reported 17,101 US inpatient hospital visits with anhypopituitarism/ hypopituitarism) as one of any listed diagnoses, and 749 visits with this as the primary diagnosis. In addition, the reported average hospital stay was 5.4 days. Follow Endocrinology Conferences and Diabetes Conferences for more updates.