Changes in body composition in women treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists

Objective: The changes that agonists of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnR H) produce in mineral bone mass are known, but, as far as we know, those pr oduced by these agents in other body compartments are unknown. Methods: We studied these changes using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 50 eugonada l women treated with decapeptyl (Triptoreline((R))), 3.75 mg injected intra muscularly, at 28-day intervals for 6 months. Results: There were significa nt increases in fat content (9.5%, P < 0.0005) and weight (1.3%, P < 0.01), and significant decreases in fat-free mass (- 1.9%, P < 0.0001) and water content (- 1.8%, P < 0.0002). Bone mass was lost in the axial skeleton (- 3 .6%, P < 0.0001) but not in the peripheral skeleton. Conclusions: The chang es induced in body composition by the GnRH agonists are similar to those of natural menopause. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reser ved.