Growth hormone therapy improves exercise capacity in adult patients with Prader-Willi syndrome

Abstract

Our findings seem to support the view that GH therapy has beneficial effects on physical activity and agility as well as on body composition of adult patients with PWS.

Growth hormone treatment for two years is safe and effective in adults with Prader-Willi syndrome

“…Our randomized placebo controlled study (n = 46) found reductions in visceral fat and subcutaneous abdominal fat of nearly 25% and 20%, respectively, as measured by CT subcutaneous thigh fat was reduced by 12%, and thigh muscle volume increased by 6% [17]. Marzullo et al [24] found similar effects on visceral and subcutaneous fat in an openlabeled study (n = 13) and changes in total body composition as measured by DXA has also been reported by Mogul et al (n = 38) [16], and Gondoni et al (n = 12) [14]. Thus, all studies report an increase in lean body mass ranging from 2.2 kg to 3.3 kg and a decrease in total body fat ranging from 2.5% to 6%.…”

“…Short term (up to one year) controlled studies with GH treatment of adult PWS patients have demonstrated beneficial effects on body composition [14][15][16][17]. Additionally, positive effects on physical performance have been demonstrated in both children [13] and in adults [14].…”

Successful Treatment of Heart Failure in an Adult Patient with Prader-Willi Syndrome

“…Recently, it was reported that GH therapy exerts beneficial effects on physical activity and agility as well as on body composition in adult patients with PWS (29).…”

Growth Hormone Therapy in Adults with Prader-Willi Syndrome

“…Changes in exercise capacity in response to rhGH therapy were examined in two studies 17,21) . Sode-Carlsen et al 17) performed a 10-metre walk test and found improvement (faster walking) in 6/18 rhGH-treated patients, but also in 2/16 control patients, and a repeat standing test in which 6/18 rhGH-treated and 4/16 controls had poorer scores compared with baseline.…”

“…Sode-Carlsen et al 17) performed a 10-metre walk test and found improvement (faster walking) in 6/18 rhGH-treated patients, but also in 2/16 control patients, and a repeat standing test in which 6/18 rhGH-treated and 4/16 controls had poorer scores compared with baseline. Gondoni et al 21) used treadmill exercise testing and reported an increase of 19% in exercise capacity (in metabolic equivalents) after 12 months of rhGH treatment (P<0.001).…”