SHEEHANS-SYNDROME - REPORT OF 70 CASES

Objective: Sheehan's syndrome is still frequently seen in Tunisia. Exp loration of pituitary function was performed to evaluate the effects o f necrosis. Subjects: Between 1980 and 1987, 70 patients were diagnose d in the endocrine division of Rabta Hospital in Tunis. The mean age w as 29.9 years and diagnosis made 6.6 years after the last delivery. Re sults: Pituitary deficiency was total in 85.2% of patients. Somatotrop in, prolactin, corticotropin, thyrotropin and gonadotropin deficiencie s were respectively present in 100% (n = 32), 96% (n = 52), 86% (n = 2 9), 75% (n = 55) and 66% (n = 32) of patients. HLA typing was performe d in 48 of patients and showed an increase of the HLA-B5 antigen 35% v s 13% in a control group. Conclusion: Sheehan's syndrome comprises 90% of hypopituitarism in adult females in Tunisia. Partial pituitary def iciencies are quite frequent. HLA-B5 predisposition leads to discuss v ascularitis.