title: Effects of recombinant human growth hormone therapy in adults with Prader-Willi syndrome: a meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is associated with GH deficiency, deleterious changes in body composition and function. As the effects of recombinant human GH (rhGH) in PWS adults have not been well established, we sought to conduct a meta-analysis of pertinent studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Meta-analysis of studies examining the effects of rhGH therapy in PWS adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and thirty four PWS adults (75 men, 59 women).
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature searches, including publications (PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Register), and abstracts presented at meetings through July 2011 describing studies of rhGH therapy in PWS adults; 8/1194 articles, describing unique cohorts, were included. Two authors independently extracted data and examined study quality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  rhGH therapy for 12 months led to [weighted mean difference (95% CI)] decreased body fat [-2·91% (-3·90, -1·91)], visceral [-32·97 cm(2) (-55·67, -10·26)] and subcutaneous adiposity [-55·24 cm(2) (-89·05, -21·44)], and increased lean body mass (LBM) [2·41 Kg (1·32, 3·49)]. Similar changes in body fat [-2·89% (-4·69, -1·07)] and LBM [2·82 Kg (1·31, 4·33)] were found in longer studies. There were no changes in body mass index (BMI) or lipids. There was a small increase in fasting glucose [0·27 mmol/l (0·05, 0·49)] and trends towards higher fasting insulin [20·24 pmol/l (-0·55, 41·02)] and insulin resistance [HOMA: 0·60 (-0·04, 1·24)] after rhGH therapy for 12 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In PWS adults, rhGH therapy led to decreased body adiposity and increased LBM without changes in BMI or lipids. There was a small increase in fasting glucose and trends towards higher insulin and insulin resistance.
authors: Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors: Ruth
authors: R
authors: Sanchez-Ortiga
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Klibanski
authors: Nicholas A
authors: NA
authors: Tritos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011218:Prader-Willi Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D012196:Review Literature as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D019382:Human Growth Hormone