Human growth hormone replacement in adult hypopituitary patients: long-term effects on body composition and lipid status--3-year results from the HypoCCS Database

Special features on insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and vascular complications in hypopituitary patients

Pituitary hormone deficiency, hypopituitarism, is a dysfunction resulting from numerous etiologies, which can be complete or partial, and is therefore heterogeneous. This heterogeneity makes it difficult to interpret the results of scientific studies with these patients.Adequate treatment of etiologies and up-to-date hormone replacement have improved morbidity and mortality rates in patients with hypopituitarism. As GH replacement is not performed in a reasonable proportion of patients, especially in some countries, it is essential to understand the known consequences of GH replacement in each subgroup of patients with this heterogeneous dysfunction.In this review on hypopituitarism, we will address some particularities regarding insulin resistance, which is no longer common in these patients with hormone replacement therapy based on current guidelines, metabolic syndrome and its relationship with changes in BMI and body composition, and to vascular complications that need to be prevented taking into account the individual characteristics of each case to reduce mortality rates in these patients.

Blood Lipid Disorders in Post-Operative Craniopharyngioma Children and Adolescents and the Improvement with Recombinant Human Growth Hormone Replacement

Context

The high prevalence of hypothalamic obesity (HO) and dyslipidemia in individuals with craniopharyngioma (CP) following surgery is a cause for increasing concern. However, few studies have explored the lipid profile in pediatric CP patients, with inconsistent findings. In addition, the role of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) replacement remains unclear in these patients.

Objective

To compare the blood lipid profile among post-operative craniopharyngioma children and adolescents with that among healthy controls and to reveal the effects of rhGH replacement.

Methods

Data of 79 post-operative craniopharyngioma children and adolescents in our center were retrospectively collected. Sixty patients underwent rhGH replacement during the follow-ups. We selected 36 patients who received rhGH replacement therapy, while 20 patients received rhGH replacement for at least 1 year and had complete lipid data before and after treatment and compared them with 19 patients who did not receive rhGH replacement therapy.

Results

Craniopharyngioma patients had higher total cholesterol (TC) (5.17 vs 3.77 mmol/L), triglyceride (TG) (1.51 vs 0.73 mmol/L), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (3.14 vs 2.10 mmol/L), and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (1.06 vs 1.39 mmol/L) than controls (all p < 0.001). The lipid profile of obese and non-obese patients was not significantly different. After rhGH replacement, TC was 0.90 mmol/L lower (p = 0.002) and LDL-C was 0.73 mmol/L lower (p = 0.010) than baseline. Although the baseline LDL-C was higher, patients with rhGH replacement had lower LDL-C (-0.73 mmol/L adjusted for age and sex, p = 0.045) after the initiation of replacement compared with patients without rhGH replacement.

Conclusion

The lipid profile of obese and non-obese children and adolescents with craniopharyngioma was unfavorable, and rhGH replacement could improve their lipid profile.

Somatropin therapy in italian adults with growth hormone deficiency

BACKGROUND

In adult population, Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) is a complex clinical condition with heterogeneity of causes and duration. Growth Hormone (GH) replacement therapy has beneficial effects entailing a chronic and expensive use. Therefore, entity, appropriateness and standardization of GHD treatment need to be accurately analysed. In Italy, the epidemiological surveillance on somatropin therapy is entrusted to the National Register of Growth Hormone Therapy (Registro Nazionale degli Assuntori dell'Ormone della Crescita-RNAOC) by the Italian Regulation, in accordance of which the RNAOC-database is collecting the notifications of somatropin prescriptions.

METHODS

Aim of this study is to analyse data on somatropin-treated adult population communicated to the RNAOC by the specialist centres of 15 Italian regions and 2 autonomous provinces.

RESULTS

From 2011 to 2019, the somatropin-treated adults were 970 with 4061 examinations (1.21 ± 0.33 visits/year). The diagnoses were: hypopituitarism (n = 579); hypophysectomy (n = 383); and congenital GHD (n = 3). Five subjects were addressed with diagnoses not included in the regulation. The starting posology of somatropin was 0.320 (± 0.212) mg/day, 0.292 (± 0.167) mg/day in male and 0.360 (± 0.258) in female patients, with 7 administrations/week in 70.31% of the prescriptions. The differences in posology by gender persisted at 10th year of the follow-up. Starting dosage was higher in patients diagnosed with adult GHD before the age of 30 (0.420 ± 0.225 mg/day), with a progressive decrease of the dosage during the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first report on adult GH treatment, describing numbers, diagnoses, and pharmaceutical prescriptions associated to somatropin therapy in a large cohort of Italian GHD-adults.

Sexual Dysfunction: A Neglected and Overlooked Issue in Adult GH Deficiency: The Management of AGHD Study

Context

Although sexuality influences well-being and quality of life (QoL), studies on sexual dysfunction (SD) in adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) patients are lacking.

Objective

To investigate the prevalence of SD in AGHD patients grouped according to recombinant human growth hormone (r-hGH) therapy.

Design

Prospective, cross-over, 24 months, monocentric study.

Setting

Real-life clinical setting in a tertiary, endocrinological center.

Patients

83 AGHD patients (31 women, 52 men, mean age 56.3 ± 14.7 years) were enrolled according to stringent criteria.

Intervention(s)

Patients already on long-term r-hGH therapy (Group 1, n = 32) vs untreated (Group 2, n = 51).

Main outcome measure(s)

Serum hormones, QoL Satisfaction in Hypopituitarism (QLS-H) and QoL Assessment of GHD in Adults (QoL-AGHDA) questionnaires for QoL, Index for Erectile Function-15 (IIEF-15) in men, and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) in women for SD.

Results

The overall prevalence of SD was 71.2% (60% men, 89% women). All IIEF-15 scores were lower (P = 0.001) and erectile dysfunction was more prevalent in Group 2 (75%) than Group 1 (35%). IGF-1 was correlated to scores of all IIEF-15 domains, particularly with that of erectile function (EF) (R²=0.123, P = 0.019). EF domain score correlated with QLS-H (P < 0.005) and QoL-AGHDA (P = 0.001). Despite the high prevalence of female SD also in untreated AGHD women, FSFI scores did not correlate with IGF-1 levels and QoL scores.

Conclusions

SD is highly prevalent in AGHD patients, especially in those untreated. SD represents an overlooked and neglected issue in AGHD, regardless the contribution of sexual life on QoL. The evaluation of sexual function should be integrated in the global assessment of AGHD patients.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Growth Hormone Deficiency: A Position Statement from Korean Endocrine Society and Korean Society of Pediatric Endocrinology

Growth hormone (GH) deficiency is caused by congenital or acquired causes and occurs in childhood or adulthood. GH replacement therapy brings benefits to body composition, exercise capacity, skeletal health, cardiovascular outcomes, and quality of life. Before initiating GH replacement, GH deficiency should be confirmed through proper stimulation tests, and in cases with proven genetic causes or structural lesions, repeated GH stimulation testing is not necessary. The dosing regimen of GH replacement therapy should be individualized, with the goal of minimizing side effects and maximizing clinical improvements. The Korean Endocrine Society and the Korean Society of Pediatric Endocrinology have developed a position statement on the diagnosis and treatment of GH deficiency. This position statement is based on a systematic review of evidence and expert opinions.

NAFLD in Some Common Endocrine Diseases: Prevalence, Pathophysiology, and Principles of Diagnosis and Management

Secondary nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) defines those complex pathophysiological and clinical consequences that ensue when the liver becomes an ectopic site of lipid storage owing to reasons other than its mutual association with the metabolic syndrome. Disorders affecting gonadal hormones, thyroid hormones, or growth hormones (GH) may cause secondary forms of NAFLD, which exhibit specific pathophysiologic features and, in theory, the possibility to receive an effective treatment. Here, we critically discuss epidemiological and pathophysiological features, as well as principles of diagnosis and management of some common endocrine diseases, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, and GH deficiency. Collectively, these forms of NAFLD secondary to specific endocrine derangements may be envisaged as a naturally occurring disease model of NAFLD in humans. Improved understanding of such endocrine secondary forms of NAFLD promises to disclose novel clinical associations and innovative therapeutic approaches, which may potentially be applied also to selected cases of primary NAFLD.

Effect of low-normal and high-normal IGF-1 levels on memory and wellbeing during growth hormone replacement therapy: a randomized clinical trial in adult growth hormone deficiency

Background

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of low-normal and high-normal levels of IGF-1 in growth hormone (GH) deficient adults on cognition and wellbeing during GH treatment.

Methods

A randomized, open-label, clinical trial including 32 subjects receiving GH therapy for at least 1 year. Subjects were randomized to receive either a decrease (IGF-1 target level of − 2 to − 1 SDS) or an increase of their daily GH dose (IGF-1 target level of 1 to 2 SDS) for a period of 24 weeks. Memory was measured by the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery, selecting the Pattern Recognition Memory task and the Spatial Working Memory. Wellbeing was measured as mood by the Profile of Moods States questionnaire, and quality of life by the Nottingham Health Profile and QoL Assessment in GH Deficiency in Adults questionnaires.

Results

Data from 30 subjects (65.6% male, mean age 46.6 (9.9 SD) years), who fulfilled the target levels, were analyzed. Females in the low dose treatment arm were found to have a better working memory and a better strategic memory control after 24 weeks as opposed to the females in the high treatment arm. With respect to mood, the decrease in IGF-1 levels in females within the low treatment arm was associated with more fatigue and less vigor.

Conclusions

The adjustment of GH dose in female patients seems to have a narrow window. A dose too high may impair prefrontal cognitive functioning, while a dose too low may result in decreased vigor.

Trial registration

This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01877512.

Etiology of Hypopituitarism in Adult Patients: The Experience of a Single Center Database in the Serbian Population

There are only a few published studies related to the population-based etiology of hypopituitarism. New risks for developing hypopituitarism have been recognized in the last 10 years. Aim. To present data regarding the etiology of hypopituitarism collected in a tertiary center over the last decade. This is a cross-sectional database study. Patients and Methods. We included 512 patients (pts) with hypopituitarism, with a mean age of 45.9 ± 1.7 yrs (range: 18-82; male: 57.9%). Results. Nonfunctional pituitary adenomas were presented in 205 pts (40.5%), congenital causes in 74 pts (14.6%), while acromegaly and prolactinomas were presented in 37 (7.2%) and 36 (7.0%) patients, respectively. Craniopharyngiomas were detected in 30 pts (5.9%), and head trauma due to trauma brain injury-TBI and subarachnoid hemorrhage-SAH in 27 pts (5.4%). Survivors of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and those with previous cranial irradiation were presented in the same frequency (18 pts, 3.5% each). Conclusion. The most common causes of hypopituitarism in our database are pituitary adenomas. Increased awareness of the other causes of pituitary dysfunction, such as congenital, head trauma, extrapituitary cranial irradiation, and infections, is the reason for a higher frequency of these etiologies of hypopituitarism in the presented database.

Central hypothyroidism and its role for cardiovascular risk factors in hypopituitary patients

Hypothyroidism is characterized by hypometabolism, and may be seen as a part of secondary failure due to pituitary insufficiency or tertiary due to hypothalamic disease. Secondary and tertiary failures are also referred to as central hypothyroidism. Whereas overt primary hypothyroidism has a well-known affection on the heart and cardiovascular system, and may result in cardiac failure, cardiovascular affection is less well recognized in central hypothyroidism. Studies on central hypothyroidism and cardiovascular outcome are few and given the rarity of the diseases often small. Further, there are several limitations given vast difficulties in diagnosing the condition correctly biochemically, and difficulties monitoring the treatment because normal thyroid-pituitary feedback interrelationships are disrupted. The present review summarizes available studies of central adult hypothyroidism and its possible influence on the cardiovascular system, describe differences from primary thyroid failure and seek evidence for performing guidelines for clinical management of this particular thyroid and hypothalamo-pituitary disorder.

Impaired Pituitary Axes Following Traumatic Brain Injury

Pituitary dysfunction following traumatic brain injury (TBI) is significant and rarely considered by clinicians. This topic has received much more attention in the last decade. The incidence of post TBI anterior pituitary dysfunction is around 30% acutely, and declines to around 20% by one year. Growth hormone and gonadotrophic hormones are the most common deficiencies seen after traumatic brain injury, but also the most likely to spontaneously recover. The majority of deficiencies present within the first year, but extreme delayed presentation has been reported. Information on posterior pituitary dysfunction is less reliable ranging from 3%-40% incidence but prospective data suggests a rate around 5%. The mechanism, risk factors, natural history, and long-term effect of treatment are poorly defined in the literature and limited by a lack of standardization. Post TBI pituitary dysfunction is an entity to recognize with significant clinical relevance. Secondary hypoadrenalism, hypothyroidism and central diabetes insipidus should be treated acutely while deficiencies in growth and gonadotrophic hormones should be initially observed.

Diagnosis and treatment of growth hormone deficiency in adults

The availability of synthetic recombinant human growth hormone (GH) in potentially unlimited quantities since the 1980s has improved understanding of the many nonstatural effects of GH on metabolism, body composition, physical and psychological function, as well as the consequences of GH deficiency in adult life. Adult GH deficiency is now recognized as a distinct if nonspecific syndrome with considerable adverse health consequences. GH replacement therapy in lower doses than those used in children can reverse many of these abnormalities and restore functional capacities toward or even to normal; if dosed appropriately, GH therapy has few adverse effects. Although some doubts remain about possible long-term risks of childhood GH therapy, most registries of adult GH replacement therapy, albeit limited in study size and duration, have not shown an increased incidence of cancers or of cardiovascular morbidity or mortality.

Diagnostics, treatment, and follow-up in craniopharyngioma

Craniopharyngiomas are partly cystic embryogenic malformations of the sellar and parasellar region, with up to half the 0.5-2.0 new cases per million population per year occur in children and adolescents. Diagnosis profile for pediatric and adult craniopharyngioma is characterized by a combination of headache, visual impairment, and polyuria/polydipsia, which can also include significant weight gain. In children, growth retardation, and/or premature puberty often occur later or postoperatively. Recommended therapy with favorable tumor localization is complete resection; with unfavorable tumor localization (optic nerve and/or hypothalamic involvement), consensus is still pending whether a limited resection followed by local irradiation is more prudent. Even though overall survival rates are high (92%), recurrences after complete resection and progressions after incomplete resection can be expected. Accordingly, a randomized multinational trial (KRANIOPHARYNGEOM 2007) has been established to identify optimal diagnosis, treatment (particularly the ideal time point of irradiation after incomplete resection), and quality of life strategies of this chronic disease - most notably the morbid hypothalamic obesity in ∼50% of long-term survivors. We report on craniopharyngioma origins, its pathological manifestations, and specific challenges these sequelae pose regarding diagnosis, treatment, and life-long multi-discipline quality of life management for both adult and childhood craniopharyngioma patients.

Assessment of primary cancers in GH-treated adult hypopituitary patients: an analysis from the Hypopituitary Control and Complications Study

OBJECTIVE

GH and IGFs have mitogenic properties, causing speculation that GH treatment could increase risk of malignancy. While studies in GH-treated childhood cancer survivors have suggested a slight increase in second neoplasms, studies in GH-treated adults have been equivocal. Design Incidence of de novo and second cancers was evaluated in 6840 GH-treated and 940 non GH-treated adult patients in the Hypopituitary Control and Complications Study pharmacoepidemiological database.

METHODS

Evident cancer cases were evaluated in the main analysis, with sensitivity analyses including probable and possible cancers. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for cancers were calculated using Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results for the USA and GLOBOCAN for all other countries.

RESULTS

During the mean follow-up of 3.7 years/GH-treated patient, 142 evident cancer cases were identified, giving an overall SIR of 0.88 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74-1.04); 95% CIs included the value of 1.0 for each country examined. The SIR for GH-treated patients from the USA (71 cases) was 0.94 (95% CI 0.73-1.18), and for non GH-treated patients from the USA (27 cases) was 1.16 (95% CI 0.76-1.69). For GH-treated patients from the USA aged <35 years, the SIR (six cases) was 3.79 (1.39-8.26), with SIR not elevated for all other age categories; SIR for patients from the USA with childhood onset (CO) GH deficiency (GHD) was 2.74 (95% CI 1.18-5.41). The SIR for colorectal cancer in GH-treated patients (11 cases) was 0.60 (95% CI 0.30-1.08).

CONCLUSIONS

With relatively short follow-up, the overall primary cancer risk in 6840 patients receiving GH as adults was not increased. Elevated SIRs were found for subgroups in the USA cohort defined by age <35 years or CO GHD.

Dehydroepiandrosterone restoration of growth hormone gene expression in aging female rats, in vivo and in vitro: evidence for actions via estrogen receptors

A decline in dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and GH levels with aging may be associated with frailty and morbidity. Little is known about the direct effects of DHEA on somatotropes. We recently reported that 17beta-estradiol (E2), a DHEA metabolite, stimulates the expression of GH in vitro in young female rats. To test the hypothesis that DHEA restores function in aging somatotropes, dispersed anterior pituitary (AP) cells from middle-aged (12-14 months) or young (3-4 months) female rats were cultured in vitro with or without DHEA or E2 and fixed for immunolabeling or in situ hybridization. E2 increased the percentage of AP cells with GH protein or mRNA in the aged rats to young levels. DHEA increased the percentages of somatotropes (detected by GH protein or mRNA) from 14-16 +/- 2% to 29-31 +/- 3% (P < or = 0.05) and of GH mRNA (detected by quantitative RT-PCR) only in aging rats. To test DHEA's in vivo effects, 18-month-old female rats were injected with DHEA or vehicle for 2.5 d, followed by a bolus of GHRH 1 h before death. DHEA treatment increased serum GH 1.8-fold (7 +/- 0.5 to 12 +/- 1.3 ng/ml; P = 0.02, by RIA) along with a similar increase (P = 0.02) in GH immunolabel. GHRH target cells also increased from 11 +/- 1% to 19 +/- 2% (P = 0.03). Neither GH nor GHRH receptor mRNAs levels were changed. To test the mechanisms behind DHEA's actions, AP cells from aging rats were treated with DHEA with or without inhibitors of DHEA metabolism. Trilostane, aminogluthemide, or ICI 182,780 completely blocked the stimulatory effects of DHEA, suggesting that DHEA metabolites may stimulate aging somatotropes via estrogen receptors.

Evidence that sensitivity to growth hormone (GH) is growth period and tissue type dependent: studies in GH-deficient lit/lit mice

We previously found that the magnitude of skeletal deficits caused by GH deficiency varied during different growth periods. To test the hypothesis that the sensitivity to GH is growth period dependent, we treated GH-deficient lit/lit mice with GH (4 mg/kg body weight.d) or vehicle during the prepubertal and pubertal (d 7-34), pubertal (d 23-34), postpubertal (d 42-55), and adult (d 204-217) periods and evaluated GH effects on the musculoskeletal system by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and peripheral quantitative computed tomography. GH treatment during different periods significantly increased total body bone mineral content, bone mineral density (BMD), bone area, and lean body mass and decreased percentage of fat compared with vehicle; however, the magnitude of change varied markedly depending on the treatment period. For example, the increase in total body BMD was significantly (P < 0.01) greater when GH was administered between d 42-55 (15%) compared with pubertal (8%) or adult (7.7%) periods, whereas the net loss in percentage of body fat was greatest (-56%) when GH was administered between d 204 and 216 and least (-27%) when GH was administered between d 7 and 35. To determine whether GH-induced anabolic effects on the musculoskeletal system are maintained after GH withdrawal, we performed DEXA measurements 3-7 wk after stopping GH treatment. The increases in total body bone mineral content, BMD, and lean body mass, but not the decrease in body fat, were sustained after GH withdrawal. Our findings demonstrate that the sensitivity to GH in target tissues is growth period and tissue type dependent and that continuous GH treatment is necessary to maintain body fat loss but not BMD gain during a 3-7 wk follow-up.