title: Insulin-like growth factor I levels during growth hormone (GH) replacement in GH-deficient adults: a gender difference.
abstract: To evaluate the variation of serum IGF-1 levels during GH replacement and observe gender differences, 29 adults with GH deficiency (mean age 42.5 +/- 10.1 year), were studied. Serum IGF-1 was assessed every 4 weeks during the titration period and afterwards every 3 months of GH therapy. At baseline 77.7% of women and 45.4% of men had serum baseline IGF-1 levels below the lower limit of normal age-related reference range. The time to reach the maintenance dose was lower in men than women (p < 0.05). There was an increase in IGF-1 levels after one year of GH therapy, significant only in men (p < 0.01). IGF-1 concentrations were higher in men than women (p < 0.05), at the 12th and 18th months of GH therapy. GH dose was reduced by 25% in men (p < 0.01). At the end of the study the mean GH dose was lower in men than in women (p < 0.05). The factor responsible for these findings is not known, however a possible role of androgens has been suggested.
authors.affiliation: Service of Endocrinology, Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. wellbs@terra.com.br
authors.forename: D V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.forename: F L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Conceição
authors.forename: R R L O
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Brasil
authors.forename: L D C
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Spina
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Lobo
authors.forename: E M C
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Buescu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vaisman
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004967:Estrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I