Growth hormone, insulin, and insulin-like growth factor-1 in hypermobility syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate growth factors in patients with hypermobility syndrome (HMS), namely insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and growth hormone (GH).


METHODS
Standard radioimmunoassay quantified serum levels of insulin, IGF-1, and GH in 24 women and 7 men with HMS, and in suitable age and sex matched controls. Several patients with other heritable connective disorders were also studied, including congenital hip dysplasia and severe kyphosis.


RESULTS
Patients with HMS and with otherwise unexplained joint and muscle pain were found to have elevated levels of insulin, IGF-1, and GH. Patients with heritable connective tissue disorders had elevated GH levels, and several patients had elevated insulin and IGF-1 levels.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with HMS, elevation of serum growth factors helps establish the diagnosis. GH alone can induce muscle and joint pain.
Denko
C W
CW
Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Boja
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D015415:Biomarkers; D007328:Insulin; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I