Long-term metabolic effectiveness and safety of growth hormone replacement therapy in patients with adult growth hormone deficiency: a single-institution study in Japan

Purpose: To elucidate the long-term efficacy and safety of growth hormone replacement therapy (GHRT) in Japanese patients with adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study. A total of 110 patients with AGHD receiving GHRT were enrolled. Clinical and laboratory data were collected annually from the beginning of the study. Statistical analysis was performed using a linear mixed-effects model.

Results: Of all patients, 46.4% were males, 70.9% had adult-onset GHD, and follow-up was up to 196 months, with a median of 68 months. The insulin-like growth factor-1 standard deviation score increased after the start of GHRT and remained constant for more than 11 years. Seventeen patients were followed up for more than 11 years. The body mass index increased. Waist circumference decreased in the short term but increased in the long term. The diastolic blood pressure decreased 1-5 years after the start of GHRT, and the systolic blood pressure increased 11 years after GHRT. Moreover, a long-term decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and a decrease in aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels were observed. The glycosylated hemoglobin level increased after 3 years. The bone mineral density in the lumbar spine and total hip increased significantly 3 years after the start of GHRT. Finally, the number of adverse events was eight.

Conclusion: We demonstrated the metabolic effectiveness and safety of GHRT in Japanese patients with AGHD over a long follow-up period of 16 years.