Growth hormone deficiency in adults and clinical use of recombinant human growth hormone.
OBJECTIVE
To review the modern recognition of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in adults and the beneficial effects of growth hormone (GH) treatment in such cases.


METHODS
Most published original articles about GH and GHD in recent domestic and world wide related literatures were available.


METHODS
More than 65 originally identified articles were reviewed and 29 were selected that especially addressed the stated purpose.


RESULTS
Treatment of GHD in adult human beings became an option following the development of rhGH and the numerous reports on the effect of rhGH therapy in such patients. The syndrome of GH deficiency in adults principally comprises abnormalities in body composition, cardiovascular risk factor, and psychological well-being. In comparison with normal individuals, these patients have increased total-body fat mass (particularly visceral adiposity), reduced muscle mass, reduced muscle strength exercise performance, and reduced bone mass. The psychological dysfunction comprises self-reported reduction in energy, mood, and sleep, along with objective reductions in marital and socioeconomic performance.


CONCLUSIONS
The evidence that rhGH administration may be beneficial for the prevention, as well as treatment, of various clinical situations.
Wang
Z
Z
Department of Medicine, West China University of Medical Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China.
D000818:Animals; D003677:Deficiency Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D004393:Dwarfism, Pituitary / Q000628:therapy*; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans
D013006:Growth Hormone