title: Fibromyalgic syndromes: could growth hormone therapy be beneficial?
abstract: Fibromyalgia is a chronic, idiopathic condition in which patients experience pain, asthenia and fatigue. The pathogenesis of the condition is unknown, and numerous mechanisms have been postulated, including neural hypersensitivity and autoimmunity. Symptoms of fibromyalgia are broadly similar to those of growth hormone deficiency (GHD), and there is evidence of decreased GH secretion and functional GHD in a subset of patients with fibromyalgia. Use of GH therapy in this patient population therefore represents a rational treatment strategy. Preliminary placebo-controlled trials have shown that GH therapy can significantly improve signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia and quality of life in patients receiving the current standard of care. Despite the use of relatively high doses of GH in these patients, treatment is well tolerated. Several mechanisms of action for GH in fibromyalgia have been suggested, including both central and peripheral effects.
authors: Endocrinology Department, Centro Medico Teknon & C Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain. gcuatrecasas@cpen.cat
authors: Guillem
authors: G
authors: Cuatrecasas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000172:deficiency; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I