J Korean Acad Rehabil Med.
2007 Apr;31(2):202-206.
Effects of Growth Hormone Replacement Therapy on Quality of Life in Patients with Somatopause
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Korea. ryukh74@nate.com
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
There is increasing interest in growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy to improve quality of life (QoL) of elderly with age-related decline in GH level (somatopause). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of GH replacement on the QoL in patients with somatopause. METHOD: A prospective study of 56 adults with somatopause was conducted. They were replaced with a GH over a 6-month period. QoL was assessed by using three self-rating questionnaires: the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), the Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI) and theAssessment of Growth Hormone Deficiency in Adults (AGHDA).
RESULTS
Significant impairment in QoL as measured by NHP, PGWBI and AGHDA were noted in patients with somatopause compared with age and sex matched normal population (p<0.05). There was significant improvement in QoL after 6-month of GH replacement (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Six months GH replacement induced an improvement in the QoL of patients with somatopause.
