Five-years growth hormone (GH) treatment in adults with Prader-Willi syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
We have previously shown that 1 year of growth hormone (GH) treatment to adults with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) has beneficial effects on body composition. The aim of the present observational study was to re-evaluate our cohort, with focus on long-term GH treatment.


METHODS
Seven men and seven women, median age 31 years, were available for follow-up for 6 years. Nine were on GH treatment for 5 years. Body composition was measured with Dual Energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).


RESULTS
In six GH treated patients with genetically verified PWS there was a substantial increase in lean body mass of 5 kg (p = 0.031) and a concomitant, however, non-significant, decrease in body fat of 5% (p = 0.156). The changes in the genetically verified patients without GH treatment were small and unsystematic. No compliance problems were reported. Only one non-GH-treated woman developed overt diabetes.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite inherent behavioural problems it was possible to continue GH injections for 5 years with sustained favourable effects on body composition without clinically, significant side effects.
Höybye
Charlotte
C
Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. charlotte.hoybye@karolinska.se
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011218:Prader-Willi Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
D013006:Growth Hormone