垂体功能减退比较少见,人群中患病率为 45/10 万,发病率为每年 4/10 万。[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 相比之下,在尸检或影像学检查中发现的垂体腺瘤/偶发瘤的患病率相对较高:在尸检中垂体腺瘤/偶发瘤的患病率高达 27%,在磁共振成像检查中高达 10%。[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 在垂体功能减退最常见的病因中,发病率或患病率没有特定的性别、种族、地域或年龄组趋势。与年龄和性别匹配的人群相比,垂体功能减退患者的死亡率要高 1.8 倍。[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 与正常人群相比,垂体功能减退患者的心脑血管疾病死亡专率更高。[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 生长激素缺乏是最有可能造成这种心血管疾病死亡率增加的原因。[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 外伤性脑损伤会造成垂体功能减退越来越得到认可。[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