Impact of recombinant human growth hormone treatment on psychological profiles in hypopituitary patients with adult-onset growth hormone deficiency.

BACKGROUND

We examined the effect of growth hormone (GH) administration on the psychological capacity and sense of well-being in 25 patients with adult-onset GH-deficiency (GHD).

METHODS

Very low dosages [0.5-1.0 UIday(-1) s.c. at bed-time] of recombinant human (rh)-GH (n = 13; aged 50+/-15 years, mean+/-SD) or placebo (n = 12, 53+/-14 years) were given at random for a 6-month period. Quality of life was assessed by using the Italian version of the self-rating Kellner Symptom Questionnaire (KSQ) and the Hamilton Depression Scale (HDS).

RESULTS

No difference in insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels was noted between groups on entry to the study. A significant increase in IGF-I [month 0 56.2+/-10.4 microg L(-1) vs. month 6 125.7+/-16.7 microg L(-1); P < 0.001] levels was noted only in the rh-GH-treated group. There was no difference in overall scores on the KSQ between the rh-GH-treated and control groups on entry. A slight, non-significant, decrease in overall scores was noted in both groups of subjects. Subsection analysis of items from the KSQ did not show significant differences in either group during the 6-month period. A significant decrease (month 0 28+/-1 vs. month 6 25+/-1; P = 0.02) in the HDS score was noted in rh-GH-treated but not in placebo-treated patients. There was a significant correlation (rs, -0.56, P = 0.05) between increase in IGF-I levels and decrease in HDS scores in rh-GH treated patients.

CONCLUSION

The data demonstrate that low rh-GH dosages significantly improve psychological profiles as rated by HDS evaluation in adult-onset patients with GHD. On the other hand, a 6-month period of treatment does not produce any significant differences in quality of life as measured by KSQ between treated patients and placebo controls.