Growth hormone deficiency in adults. Introduction to the problem

Abstract

Growth hormone deficiency (GH) for a long time was recognized only in childhood. Compelling evidence has been obtained showing that HR replacement therapy effectively stimulates growth and, in many cases, achieves normal end-points of physical development. More recently, it was shown that the most effective in this regard was the appointment of regular evening injections of the drug, which mimic the physiological secretion of GH during sleep. Despite the fact that the acceleration of linear growth is the most objective criterion for the effectiveness of therapy for GH, it is known that GH has a significant effect on body structure, causing a decrease in fat mass and an increase in muscle mass.
 Until recently, GH was not considered an important hormonal regulator in adults, and therefore, there was no study of GH deficiency and treatment of children with GH deficiency when they reached adulthood, as well as patients with hypopituitarism who became ill in adulthood. However, in 1989, as a result of two double-blind trials using placebo in the control group, the effectiveness of GH replacement therapy in adults with an abnormally low level of GH, up to a severe degree of GH deficiency, was revealed. Further studies showed the presence of violations of both physical and mental status in adults in whom GH deficiency develops as a result of the tumor process in the pituitary gland or its therapy. Most of these disorders, but not all, can be corrected as a result of GH replacement therapy, which confirms the significant effect of GH throughout life.