Observational study in adult hypopituitary patients with untreated growth hormone deficiency (ODA study). Socio-economic impact and health status

Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the socio-economic im pact at baseline and after one gear of follow-up of clinical and health sta tus characteristics and laboratory tests of adult-onset GH deficiency (AGHD ), a well-known clinical entity, in a large group of Spanish hypopituitary patients with untreated AGHD. Design and Methods: A total of 926 eligible patients with GHD (GH less than or equal to 5 ng/ml after stimulation) and at least one further pituitary hormone deficiency were retrospectively studied; 356 of these were followed for one year. Complete physical examination, IGF-I, lipid and routine bioc hemistry measurements and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with the s pecific QoL-Assessment of Growth Hormone Deficiency in Adults (AGHDA) quest ionnaire were assessed at baseline and at 12 months in the prospective stud y. Health status and health-economic evaluation were measured by a specific questionnaire and a patient diary and compared with Spanish population stu dy results. Results: Clinical characteristics and laboratory tests of AGHD showed a hig her incidence of cardiovascular risk factors and mortality compared with th e general population (hypercholesterolaemia in 29% vs 18% and hypertension in 22.1% vs 14.9%). QoL-AGHDA scores for patients were significantly worse (P<0.01) and direct health costs were higher than in the general population . Conclusions: Hypopituitary GHD adults had more cardiovascular risk factors, higher mortality, worse HRQoL and higher absolute health costs than the ge neral population in Spain.