Adrenal gland disorders, active component, U.S. Armed Forces, 2002-2017.

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Military Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Adrenal gland disorders encompass a range of conditions affecting hormone production.
• Understanding the incidence and trends of these disorders in military populations is crucial for health surveillance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence and trends of various adrenal gland disorders in male and female service members between 2002 and 2017.
• To analyze demographic disparities, including sex and race/ethnicity, in the occurrence of these disorders.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study utilizing data from service members between 2002 and 2017.
• Analysis of diagnosed incident adrenal gland disorders, including adrenal insufficiency, Cushing's syndrome, and others.
• Calculation of crude overall incidence rates and examination of trends over the study period.

Main Results:

• Adrenal insufficiency was the most frequent incident adrenal gland disorder, with higher incidence rates in females (8.2 per 100,000 person-years) compared to males (3.9 per 100,000 person-years).
• Females exhibited higher overall rates for most adrenal disorders, with notable female:male rate ratios for adrenal insufficiency (2.1) and adrenogenital disorders/Cushing's syndrome (5.5).
• Non-Hispanic white service members had the highest rates of adrenal insufficiency, and females in this group also showed higher rates for Cushing's syndrome and other adrenal disorders. Annual rates for adrenal insufficiency and other adrenal disorders showed a slight increasing trend.

Conclusions:

• Adrenal insufficiency is a significant concern within the military population, particularly among females.
• Disparities in incidence exist across sex and race/ethnicity, warranting further investigation into underlying causes.
• The observed increasing trends highlight the need for continued monitoring and potential interventions for adrenal gland disorders in service members.