Insulin-like growth factor I levels during growth hormone (GH) replacement in GH-deficient adults: a gender difference.
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.
Soares
D V
DV
Service of Endocrinology, Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. wellbs@terra.com.br
Conceição
F L
FL
Brasil
R R L O
RR
Spina
L D C
LD
Lobo
P M
PM
Silva
E M C
EM
Buescu
A
A
Vaisman
M
M
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
D004967:Estrogens; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I