title: Incidence of GH deficiency - a nationwide study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Data on incidence rates are scarce in GH deficiency (GHD). Here, we estimate the incidence rate in childhood onset (CO) and adult onset (AO) GHD in Denmark.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used three national registries to identify 9131 cases with an increased risk of GHD. Date of entry was defined using the date when a registration had taken place and when a date of sufficient information could be defined from a thorough examination of a record of a GHD patient, which ever came last. We considered date of entry as the incident date.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sex-specific incidence rates of GHD in children and adults using the background population as reference.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During 1980-1999, 1823 patients were incident. Three-hundred and three males and 191 females had CO, 744 males and 585 females had AO GHD. The incidence rate over time was stable for females with AO GHD and increasing for the other three subgroups. Average incidence rate for CO males, 2.58 (95% confidence interval (CI), 2.30-2.88), CO females, 1.70 (95% CI, 1.48-1.96), AO males, 1.90 (95% CI, 1.77-2.04), and AO females, 1.42 (95% CI, 1.31-1.54) all per 100 000. The incidence rate was significantly higher in males compared to females in the CO GHD group (P < 0.001) and in the AO GHD group in the age ranges of 45-64 and 65+years (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the 18-44 years age group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, we have identified the incidence rates of GHD in a nationwide study of Denmark. In this population-based study, we have identified in CO GHD and in the two oldest age groups of AO GHD, a statistically significant higher incidence rate in males when compared with females.
authors.affiliation: Medical Department M (Endocrinology and Diabetes), Aarhus Sygehus, NBG, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. stockholm@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: Kirstine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stochholm
authors.forename: Claus H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Gravholt
authors.forename: Torben
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Laursen
authors.forename: Jens O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Jørgensen
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Laurberg
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Lars Ø
authors.initials: LØ
authors.lastname: Kristensen
authors.forename: Ulla
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Feldt-Rasmussen
authors.forename: Jens S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Christiansen
authors.forename: Morten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frydenberg
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Green
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000172:deficiency*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010900:Pituitary Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012042:Registries; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D019382:Human Growth Hormone