Three-years of growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy in GH-deficient adults: effects on quality of life, patient-reported outcomes and healthcare consumption

Objective: This study set out to determine the change in quality of life (QoL) and healthcare utilization during 2 years of growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy in adults with GH deficiency. Data were compared from three European countries. Design: Analysis was made from KIMS, the Pfizer International Metabolic Database on adult GH deficiency. Methods: QoL and healthcare utilization were measured at baseline and after 1 and 2 years of GH replacement in patient cohorts from Sweden (n = 302), The Netherlands (n = 103) and Germany (n = 98). QoL was assessed by the QoL-Assessment in Growth Hormone Deficient Adults (QoL-AGHDA) questionnaire, and the KIMS Patient Life Situation Form was used to evaluate healthcare utilization. Results: QoL improved significantly (P < 0.0001) and comparably in all three cohorts. The improvement was seen during the first year of treatment and QoL remained improved during the second year. The number of days in hospital was reduced by 83% (P < 0.0001) during GH replacement. There were no country-specific differences either at baseline or during follow-up. The same was true for the number of days of sick leave (reduction of 63%; P = 0.0004). Significant reductions were recorded in the number of doctor visits in each of the three cohorts after 2 years of GH replacement (P < 0.05). Conclusions: This study provides a detailed comparative analysis of GH replacement therapy in GHD patients in three European countries. Despite some differences in treatment strategies, the beneficial effects on QoL, patient-reported outcomes and healthcare utilization are essentially similar in the healthcare environment of Western European countries.

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Long-Term Improvement of Quality of Life During Growth Hormone (GH) Replacement Therapy in Adults with GH Deficiency, as Measured by Questions on Life Satisfaction-Hypopituitarism (QLS-H)

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism ◽

10.1210/jc.2003-030134 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 89 (4) ◽

pp. 1684-1693 ◽

Cited By ~ 81

Author(s):

Myriam Rosilio ◽

Werner F. Blum ◽

David J. Edwards ◽

Elena P. Shavrikova ◽

Domenico Valle ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Growth Hormone ◽

Life Satisfaction ◽

Replacement Therapy ◽

Gh Deficiency ◽

Gh Replacement

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The Characteristics of Quality of Life Impairment in Adult Growth Hormone (GH)-Deficient Survivors of Cancer and Their Response to GH Replacement Therapy

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism ◽

10.1210/jc.2004-0832 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 90 (3) ◽

pp. 1542-1549 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

A. Mukherjee ◽

S. Tolhurst-Cleaver ◽

W. D. J. Ryder ◽

L. Smethurst ◽

S. M. Shalet

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Growth Hormone ◽

Replacement Therapy ◽

Gh Replacement ◽

Adult Growth

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Diagnosis and Treatment of Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency

Korean Journal of Medicine ◽

10.3904/kjm.2021.96.5.400 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 96 (5) ◽

pp. 400-407

Author(s):

Jung Hee Kim

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Growth Hormone ◽

Replacement Therapy ◽

Gh Deficiency ◽

Hormone Deficiency ◽

Skeletal Health ◽

Gh Replacement ◽

Adult Growth ◽

Impaired Quality

Adult growth hormone (GH) deficiency is associated with insulin resistance, elevated cardiovascular risk profile, increased fat mass, reduced muscle mass, skeletal fragility, and impaired quality of life. GH replacement therapy improves body composition, exercise capacity, skeletal health, cardiovascular outcomes, and quality of life, while reducing mortality. Prior to initiation of GH replacement therapy, it is essential to diagnose GH deficiency via a GH stimulation test in adults suspicious of such deficiency. Therapy should be started using (individualized) low dose of GH, followed by titration to the normal range of insulin-like growth factor-1. Clinical improvements should be monitored and side effects should be minimized.

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