Effects of short term growth hormone therapy in adult growth hormone deficiency

Growth hormone (GH) is the most common deficient hormone in patients with pituitary disorders. Growth hormone deficiency in adults is associated with altered body composition, poor quality of life, and increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. There are no data available from India, on the use of GH replacement in adult growth hormone deficiency.

Twenty six male subjects with growth hormone deficiency (peak GH response <5 microg/L after appropriate stimulation) due to pituitary disorders were recruited for the study in a tertiary care institute in north India. Anthropometric parameters, body composition, isometric hand grip strength, and biochemical parameters including fasting plasma glucose, insulin, lipid profile and IGF-1 were measured. Quality of life (QOL) was assessed by standardized and validated questionnaire. The subjects were administered recombinant human growth hormone or placebo at a dose of 4 microg/Kg/day at 2000 h subcutaneously. The subjects were assessed at baseline and on completion of 12 weeks of therapy.

The mean age of subjects was 47.0 +/- 3.9 years. There was no significant improvement in body composition, muscle strength, QOL score and glucose homeostasis, but serum triglyceride level decreased significantly (0.04) after growth hormone treatment.

Short term use of GH replacement in subjects with adult growth hormone deficiency did not have any beneficial effect.