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Growth hormone treatment of Prader–Willi syndrome has long‐term, positive effects on body composition
Author(s) -
Höybye Charlotte
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.12898
Subject(s) - medicine , growth hormone , endocrinology , growth hormone treatment , diabetes mellitus , body mass index , body weight , hormone , obesity
Aim Growth hormone ( GH ) treatment is a relatively new concept in adults, and the knowledge of its long‐term effects is limited. We studied ten men with Prader–Willi Syndrome ( PWS ) after more than 5 years of GH treatment. Methods Study participants underwent a detailed physical examination, including blood tests. Five had received GH as childhood and five had started GH as adults. Results The total duration of GH treatment was 16 ± 4 years in the childhood PWS group and 15 ± 1 years in the adulthood PWS group. Their respective mean ages were 27 ± 4 years and 44 ± 4 years, mean heights were 178 ± 11 cm and 156 ± 5 cm, and mean body mass indexes were 32.4 ± 10.3 kg/m 2 and 28.9 ± 4.6 kg/m 2 . There were no differences in body composition between the groups and all lipids and insulin‐like growth factor 1 were normal or close to normal. Four had well‐controlled type 2 diabetes. The GH doses in the childhood and adulthood groups were 0.4 mg and 0.3 mg, respectively. Conclusion Men with PWS who received GH treatment displayed positive effects on body composition independent of when the GH treatment had started. Only patients who gained weight developed diabetes. The duration of GH treatment should balance the benefits and observed side effects.