Sex-related differences in healthcare utilization and costs among patients with pituitary adenomas
Authors' conclusion
Although sex-based differences in overall healthcare costs are limited, women face a disproportionately complex and burdensome care trajectory. Standardized, value-based care pathways may help mitigate these disparities, underscoring the need for prospective, sex-stratified studies.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with pituitary adenomas (non-functioning pituitary adenoma, prolactinoma, acromegaly, Cushing's disease (CD), perioperative pituitary tumor cohorts) from Europe and the United States8 studies
- Comparison
- Women vs men
- Outcome
- Healthcare costs, healthcare utilization (HCRU) and indirect socioeconomic burden by sex
Methodological detailssex-stratified analyses, PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science searched
- Sex-stratified analyses
- PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science searched
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
- Total and surgical costs did not differ between men and women across most settings in Europe
- One U.S. acromegaly cohort: lower adjusted annual costs in women; one Chinese perioperative cohort: lower inpatient charges in women
- Women with acromegaly: longer diagnostic delays, more pre-diagnostic visits, higher specialist engagement, more treatment modifications
- Perioperatively, sex not a predictor of LOS or cost
- Women more often had reduced work capacity, early retirement, psychosocial distress and poorer quality of life in acromegaly and CD
Safety
Perioperative complications
- Several cohorts reported higher rates of cerebrospinal fluid leak, AVP-D and late hyponatremia in women
Original publication
Sex-related differences in healthcare utilization and costs among patients with pituitary adenomas. Pituitary. Published 7 February 2026. doi:10.
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