Effects of Growth Hormone Replacement Therapy on Quality of Life in Patients with Somatopause.

, Kim, Sang Beom; , Ryoo, Kyung Hyun; , Yoon, Kisung; , Lee, Kyeong Woo; , Kwak, Hyun; , Park, Gyu Tae

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine 2007;31(2):202-206.

Kim, Sang Beom , Ryoo, Kyung Hyun , Yoon, Kisung , Lee, Kyeong Woo , Kwak, Hyun , Park, Gyu Tae

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Korea. ryukh74@nate.com

신체정지기 환자에서 성장호르몬 보충 요법이 삶의 질에 미치는 영향

김상범, 류경현, 윤기성, 이경우, 곽현, 박규태

동아대학교 의과대학 재활의학교실

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 the Assessment 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. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2007; 31: 202-206)

Key Words: Somatopause, Quality of life, Growth hormone replacement therapy