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Sweat secretion rates in growth hormone disorders.
S B Sneppen1, K M Main, A Juul
1Department of Endocrinology, Rigshospitalet, The National University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Clinical Endocrinology
|December 7, 2000
Summary
Patients with acromegaly exhibit increased sweat secretion rate (SSR), indicating irreversible sweat gland changes. Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in males, but not females, is associated with reduced SSR, suggesting a role for androgens.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Physiology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Increased sweating is a hallmark of active acromegaly.
- Reduced sweating is increasingly recognized in growth hormone deficiency (GHD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sweat secretion rate (SSR) in patients with acromegaly and GHD.
- To assess the impact of growth hormone (GH) substitution therapy on SSR in GHD patients.
Main Methods:
- Sweat secretion rate (SSR) was measured using pilocarpine iontophoresis.
- Study included 37 acromegaly patients, 20 adult GHD patients (before and during GH treatment), and 58 controls.
Main Results:
- Acromegaly patients showed significantly higher SSR than controls, irrespective of disease activity.
- GHD patients, particularly males, exhibited reduced SSR compared to controls.
- Long-term GH substitution therapy did not affect SSR in GHD patients.
Conclusions:
- Longstanding GH excess in acromegaly leads to irreversible alterations in sweat gland function.
- Reduced SSR in male GHD patients suggests a role for androgen deficiency.
- Hormonal influences, particularly GH, impact sweat gland development and function throughout life.