Baseline Characteristics and the Effects of Five Years of GH Replacement Therapy in Adults with GH Deficiency of Childhood or Adulthood Onset: A Comparative, Prospective Study

The consequences of GH deficiency may differ if the disease is childhood onset or adulthood onset. In this single-center, prospective study, 21 consecutive adults with childhood onset GH deficiency and 21 adults with adulthood onset GH deficiency, matched for age, gender, body mass index, and number of anterior pituitary hormonal deficiencies, were included. Baseline differences and differences in the responses in body composition, muscle strength, bone mass, and metabolic indices during 5-yr GH replacement were determined. The duration of GH deficiency was longer and serum IGF-I level and body height were lower in the childhood onset patients than in the adulthood onset patients. Body fat (observed/predicted ratio) was increased, and lean mass and muscle strength were decreased, in the childhood onset patients. Total body and lumbar (L2–L4) bone mineral content and bone mineral density were lower in the childhood onset patients. Serum total cholesterol level was higher in the adulthood onset patients. Th...