title: Recombinant human growth hormone improves the fat redistribution syndrome (lipodystrophy) in patients with HIV.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the efficacy of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in the treatment of the fat redistribution syndrome (FRS) in patients with HIV.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, open-label study.
  
  
  METHODS
  An urban, university-affiliated Infectious Disease Clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten HIV-infected patients (seven men, three women) with FRS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Treatment with 6 mg of rhGH a day, subcutaneously for 12 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Body mass index (BMI), body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), body composition by anthropometrics (including waist/hip ratio), buffalo hump.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age was 41.7 years, the CD4 cell count was 247, and the HIV RNA was 95 735 copies/ml; 50% had undetectable viral RNA. The BMI was significantly increased from baseline to the end of treatment with growth hormone (25.3-26.9 kg/m2; P < 0.04); the waist/hip ratio significantly decreased from baseline levels, after treatment with growth hormone (1.03-0.9; P < 0.04); mid-thigh circumference increased significantly when baseline was compared with measures after treatment (49.1-51.8 cm; P < 0.03). One patient had to discontinue therapy because of hyperglycemia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short-term treatment with rhGH improved the alterations in body shape that occur with FRS in HIV-infected patients. Waist/hip ratios and mid-thigh circumference are useful measures to follow alterations in body shape in FRS.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Disease, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. cwanke@infonet.tufts.edu
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wanke
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gerrior
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kantaros
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Coakley
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Albrecht
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008060:Lipodystrophy / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D013006:Growth Hormone