Article
Structured data assessment in patients with traumatic brain injury and aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage – an interdisciplinary study concept
Strukturierte Datenerfassung zur Hypophyseninsuffizienz bei Patienten nach Subarachnoidalblutung und Schädel-Hirn-Trauma – eine interdisziplinäre Studienvorstellung
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Published: | April 11, 2007 |
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Objective: Within the last years, it has been established that neuroendocrine dysfunction is a far more frequent sequel of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) than has formerly been estimated. 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. This lack of information might contribute to the fact that clinical and/or laboratory screening for endocrine dysfunction is still not routinely performed in TBI and SAH survivors with potentially severe consequences for the affected patients.
Methods: In order to shed more light on these open issues, a multi-center, structured data assessment to create a national registry of these patients was 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 (11 active centers at present). Data are collected using a structured, internet-based study sheet, obtaining information on clinical, radiological and hormonal parameters which include i.e. information on type and severity of brain injury, length of hospitalization, outcome and life situation. The database aims to connect clinical information on trauma and presence and type of hypopituitarism.
Results: At the first data close in November 2006, more than 500 patients with TBI (n=322) or SAH (n=178) had 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.
Conclusions: 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.