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

• Published in: European journal of clinical investigation 1998-01, Vol.28 (1), p.13-19
• Main Authors: GIUSTI, M, MEINERI, I, MALAGAMBA, D, CUTTICA, C. M, FATTACCIU, G, MENICHINI, U, RASORE, E, GIORDANO, G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Depressive Disorder - drug therapy; Depressive Disorder - psychology; Female; GH deficiency; Hormones. Endocrine system; Human Growth Hormone - deficiency; Human Growth Hormone - therapeutic use; Humans; Hypopituitarism - blood; Hypopituitarism - drug therapy; Hypopituitarism - psychology; IGF-I; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I - metabolism; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Neuropsychological Tests; Personality Inventory; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; psychological evaluation; rh-GH; well-being
• ISSN: 0014-2972; 1365-2362
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2362.1998.00239.x

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 UI day−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 μg L−1 vs. month 6 125.7 ± 16.7 μg L−1; P