Long-term follow-up of GH-treated girls with Turner syndrome: metabolic consequences.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the metabolic consequences of long-term GH treatment in young women with Turner syndrome (TS), several years after GH discontinuation.


METHODS
Follow-up study of a randomized GH dose-response trial, with 3 GH dosages (1.3, 2.0, and 2.7 mg/m(2)/day). Thirty-nine TS patients (20.0 +/- 2.1 years) participated 4.8 +/- 1.9 years after GH discontinuation. Mean GH treatment duration was 8.7 +/- 2.0 years. Fasting glucose, insulin, and serum lipids were measured.


RESULTS
Several years after GH discontinuation, insulin sensitivity remained lower, while beta-cell function and fasting insulin levels remained higher than before treatment. Only BMI influenced beta-cell function. Serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) had further increased compared to 6 months after GH, resulting in higher TC, but also higher HDL levels compared to controls. The atherogenic index remained constant, but lower than controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Besides height, GH therapy in girls with TS has additional beneficial effects on serum lipids. Nearly 5 years after discontinuation of GH therapy the favorable effect of GH was still noticeable. The GH-induced decrease in insulin sensitivity, however, remained unchanged, possibly due to having TS.
Bannink
Ellen M N
EM
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
van der Palen
Roel L F
RL
Mulder
Paul G H
PG
de Muinck Keizer-Schrama
Sabine M P F
SM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005215:Fasting / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014424:Turner Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D019382:Human Growth Hormone