Clinical prevalence and outcome impact of pituitary dysfunction after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Purpose Pituitary dysfunction is reported to be a common complication following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemor rhage (aSAH). The aim of this meta-analysis is to analyze the literature on clinical prevalence, risk factors and out come impact of pituitary dysfunction after aSAH, and to assess the possible need for pituitary screening in aSAH patients. Methods We performed a systematic review with meta analysis based on a comprehensive search of four databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, ISI/Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar). Results A total of 20 papers met criteria for inclusion. The prevalence of pituitary dysfunction in the acute phase (within the first 6 months after aSAH) was 49.30 % (95 % CI 41.6–56.9), decreasing in the chronic phase (after 6 months from aSAH) to 25.6 % (95 % CI 18.0–35.1)