Outcomes similar between middle-aged, older patients with growth hormone deficiency after GHRT

Clinical outcomes of growth hormone replacement therapy (GHRT) in adults with growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) are similar in middle-aged and older patients, according to a study, which found no significantly increased risk of GHRT-related adverse reactions in older individuals.

The research compared GHRT outcomes between older (≥60 years) and middle-aged (35-<60 years) patients, using 10-year follow-up data from the NordiNet International Outcome Study and the American Norditropin Studies: Web-Enabled Research (ANSWER) Program.

The study included 2348 patients with AGHD, analyzing GH-naïve and non-naïve individuals. The effectiveness analysis set comprised 759 patients, including 545 middle-aged and 214 older patients, while the full analysis set included 2,348 patients, with 1,696 middle-aged and 652 older patients.

Results showed that mean GH doses were higher in middle-aged patients compared to older patients. However, both age groups experienced an increase in insulin-like growth factor I standard deviation scores following GHRT. BMI and HbA1c changes were similar and modest in both groups.

When comparing adverse reactions, including serious and non-serious reactions (SARs and NSARs), no statistically significant differences were found between older and middle-aged patients. The incidence rate ratio for NSARs indicated similar rates between the two groups, while the IRR for SARs suggested no significant difference in serious adverse reactions. However, serious adverse events were more frequent in older patients.

Reference
Biller BMK, Höybye C, Ferran JM, et al. Long-term Effectiveness and Safety of GH Replacement Therapy in Adults ≥60 Years: Data From NordiNet® IOS and ANSWER. J Endocr Soc. 2023;7(6):bvad054. doi: 10.1210/jendso/bvad054. PMID: 37197408; PMCID: PMC10184433.