The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism
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J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. · Jan 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical TrialThe Australian Multicenter Trial of Growth Hormone (GH) Treatment in GH-Deficient Adults.
GH treatment in adults with GH deficiency has numerous beneficial effects, but most studies have been small. We report the results of an Australian multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the effects of recombinant human GH treatment in adults with GH deficiency. GH deficiency was defined as a peak serum GH of < 5 mU/liter in response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia. ⋯ Resting blood pressure did not change over the initial 6 months. In summary, GH treatment in adults with GH deficiency resulted in 1) prominent increases in serum IGF-I at the doses employed, in some cases to supraphysiological levels; 2) modest decreases in total- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, together with substantial reductions in total-body and truncal fat mass consistent with an improved cardiovascular risk profile; 3) substantial increases in lean tissue mass; and 4) modest improvements in perceived quality of life. The excessive IGF-I response and side-effect profile suggests that lower doses of GH may be a required for prolonged GH treatment in adults with severe GH deficiency.