The interdisciplinary German database on hypopituitarism in patients with traumatic brain injury and aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage – a tool for gathering epidemiological data

Within the last years, it has been established that neuroendocrine dysfunction is a frequent sequel of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). However, epidemiological data on the prevalence and incidence of hypopituitarism after TBI and SAH in the general population do not exist. Moreover, very little is known about risk factors and clinical characteristics of pituitary impairment after brain damage.

To address these questions a multi-center, structured data assessment to create a national registry of these patients has been established in 2005. It is coordinated by the Department of Endocrinology, Max-Planck-Institute in Munich with participation of neurosurgical, rehabilitation and endocrinological centers in all of Germany. Data are collected using a structured, internet-based study sheet, obtaining information on clinical, radiological and hormonal parameters. The database aims to connect clinical information on trauma and presence and type of hypopituitarism. At the first data close, which is due in November 2006 more than 500 patients with TBI (n=322) or SAH (n=178) have been included of whom clinical data and basal hormone values are available. In 112 TBI patients (34.8%) and 46 SAH patients (25.4%) additional endocrine function testing has been performed. This conference contribution aims to make the data base, which is open to any disciplines treating patients with brain damage (including rehabilitation units, neurologists, neurosurgeons, endocrinologists, and general practitioners) more public and to present the scientific results of the first data close. The authors present this database on behalf of all participating centers.