Assessment of pituitary function 3 and 12 months after traumatic brain injury: a prospective study

Hypopituitarism may occur after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Often, however, these disturbances remain unrecognized, due to unspecific symptomatology and masking by TBI sequalae. We have studied pituitary function in 78 patients after TBI (26 females, mean age 36±15 years). In all patients a GHRH + arginine test, a 30-minute ACTH test and basal assessments of thyroid hormones, gonadotrophins, sex steroids, prolactin, and IGF-1 were performed 3 months after TBI. Basal hormone measurements were repeated in all patients 12 months after TBI. Additionally, stimulation tests were repated if hormonal abnormalities had been detected previously. After three months we have found hormonal disturbances in 42% of all patients. The prevalence rates of abnormal hormone levels were as follows: hypocortisolism (stimulated cortisol