[Effect of growth hormone combined with nutritional support on postoperative fatigue syndrome in patients after abdominal operations].
OBJECTIVE
This is a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in preventing the development or reducing the duration of postoperative fatigue syndrome (POFS).


METHODS
Informed consent was obtained from each prospective subject. A total of 48 consecutive patients undergoing the elective abdominal operations were randomly divided into the rhGH group and the placebo group. The rhGH group was given daily rhGH 0.15 U/kg from day 3 to day 9 after operation. The two groups had similar nutritional intakes. Plasma proteins, fatigue (Christensen score) and body weight were investigated before and after operations. Nitrogen balance was measured from day 3 to day 9 after operation.


RESULTS
On postoperative day 10, the fatigue score in rhGH group was significantly lower than that in control group (P < 0.05); the level of fibronectin in rhGH group was significantly higher than that in control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, a positive nitrogen balance was achieved and kept in the rhGH-treated group during the postoperative period from the third day onward, whereas it was not achieved in the control group till day 9 postoperatively. Cumulative nitrogen balance was significantly higher in rhGH group than in control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in weight loss after operation (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The application of low doses of recombinant human growth hormone can improve positive nitrogen balance and reduce the courses of POFS. The serum fibronectin level is proved to be a reliable biochemical indicator of POFS.
Zhang
Ming-Ming
MM
Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Wu
Xiao-Ting
XT
Luo
Ting
T
Qian
Kun
K
Yang
Gang
G
D000005:Abdomen / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D005221:Fatigue / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000097:blood; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D018529:Nutritional Support; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy*; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D001786:Blood Glucose; D005353:Fibronectins; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D009584:Nitrogen