Understanding the cardiometabolic risk profile in growth hormone deficiency

Despite beneficial changes in body composition, lipid profile, and quality of life, growth hormone replacement therapy does not remove all cardiometabolic abnormalities common in patients with adult-onset growth hormone deficiency (AGHD), according to a review.

Patients with AGHD have an adverse cardiometabolic risk profile, including endothelial dysfunction, low-grade inflammation, impaired adipokine profile, oxidative stress, and hypovitaminosis D, which may lead to the development of premature atherosclerosis.

The changes brought on by adequate therapy indirectly reduce mortality in hypopituitary patients due to favorable changes in cardiac structure and function.

Due to the lack of disease-specific guidelines focused on assessing the cardiovascular status of patients with AGHD, the study authors recommend active screening and close follow-up of cardiovascular status. There should be a low threshold for a more detailed evaluation.

“Greater awareness of the advantages of growth hormone substitution among patients and healthcare professionals would be necessary to improve adherence and outcome in AGHD,” the authors concluded.

Reference
Ratku B, Sebestyén V, Erdei A, et al. Effects of adult growth hormone deficiency and replacement therapy on the cardiometabolic risk profile. Pituitary. 2022;doi: 10.1007/s11102-022-01207-1. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35106704.