GH deficiency in patients with spinal cord injury : efficacy/safety of GH replacement, a pilot study
Cuatrecasas, Guillem (Universitat Oberta de Catalunya)
Kumru, Hatice (Institut Germans Trias i Pujol. Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol)
Coves, M. Josep (Institut Germans Trias i Pujol. Institut Guttmann)
Vidal, Joan (Institut Germans Trias i Pujol. Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol)
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Date:	2018
Abstract:	Growth hormone (GH) was shown to stimulate proliferation, migration and survival of neural cells in animal models. GH deficiency (GHD) was reported following traumatic brain lesions; however, there are not available data in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate (1) the frequency of GHD in chronic SCI population; (2) the efficacy/safety of GH replacement in patients with SCI and suboptimal GH secretion. Nineteen consecutive patients with chronic thoracic complete SCI (AIS-A) were studied. Patients with low GH secretion were randomized in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study to receive either subcutaneous placebo injections or GH combined with physical therapy, for 6 months. Baseline cranial MRI, AIS motor and sensory scale, quality of life (spinal cord impact measurement) and modified Ashworth spasticity scale, quantitative sensory testing and neurophysiological exploration were assessed at baseline, 1, 3 and 6 months following treatment. Thirteen had GH deficiency. Seven received GH, five placebo and one dropped out. Both groups were similar according to clinical and demographical data at baseline, except for greater GH deficiency in the GH treatment group. At 6th month, patients treated with GH showed a significant improvement in SCIM-III score and in electrical perception threshold up to the 5th level below SCI, on both sides compared to baseline. GHD seems to be frequent in traumatic SCI and GH replacement is safe without side effects. GH combined with physical therapy can improve quality of life of SCI patients and, strikingly, the sensory perception below lesion level.
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, sempre que no sigui amb finalitats comercials, i sempre que es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Growth hormone ; GH deficiency ; Spinal cord injury ; Physical therapy ; Safety
Published in:	Endocrine Connections, Vol. 7 (august 2018) , p. 1031-1039, ISSN 2049-3614

DOI: 10.1530/EC-18-0296
PMID: 30352393

9 p, 853.6 KB

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Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Health sciences and biosciences > Institut d'Investigació en Ciencies de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles