Galina Götherström

Growth Hormone Deficiency in Adults: Long-term Effects of Growth Hormone Replacement Therapy Galina Götherström

Deficiency of growth hormone in adults results in abnormal body composition, mainly increased fat mass and decreased lean body mass, reduced bone mass and muscle strength, increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Short-term growth hormone replacement reverses many of the symptoms associated with adult growth hormone deficiency. The effects and the safety of long-term growth hormone replacement therapy in adults are unknown. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the efficacy and the safety of 5-10-year growth hormone replacement in a large group of patients with adult onset of growth hormone deficiency at the Centre of Endocrinology and Metabolism at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. Gender differences and responsiveness to growth hormone replacement in subgroups of growth hormone deficient adults were also determined. The analysis should be useful to health care professionals, especially endocrinologists, clinical researchers, medical students and anyone else who may be considering utilizing this information for educational or clinical purposes.