C. Wanke et al., Recombinant human growth hormone improves the fat redistribution syndrome (lipodystrophy) in patients with HIV, AIDS, 13(15), 1999, pp. 2099-2103
Objective: To determine the efficacy of recombinant human growth hormone (r
hGH) in the treatment of the fat redistribution syndrome (FRS) in patients
with HIV.
Design: A prospective, open-label study.
Setting: An urban, university-affiliated Infectious Disease Clinic.
Patients: Ten HIV-infected patients (seven men, three women) with FRS.
Interventions: Treatment with 6 mg of rhGH a day, subcutaneously for 12 wee
ks.
Main outcome measures: Body mass index (BMI), body composition by bioelectr
ical impedance analysis (BIA), body composition by anthropometrics (includi
ng waist/hip ratio), buffalo hump.
Results: The mean age was 41.7 years, the CD4 cell count was 247, and the H
IV RNA was 95 735 copies/ml; 50% had undetectable viral RNA. The BMI was si
gnificantly increased from baseline to the end of treatment with growth hor
mone (25.3-26.9 kg/m(2); P < 0.04); the waist/hip ratio significantly decre
ased from baseline levels, after treatment with growth hormone (1.03-0.9; P
< 0.04); mid-thigh circumference increased significantly when baseline was
compared with measures after treatment (49.1-51.8 cm; P < 0.03). One patie
nt had to discontinue therapy because of hyperglycemia.
Conclusion: Short-term treatment with rhGH improved the alterations in body
shape that occur with FRS in HIV-infected patients. Waist/hip ratios and m
id-thigh circumference are useful measures to follow alterations in body sh
ape in FRS. (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.