Recombinant human growth hormone treatment in elderly patients undergoing elective total hip replacement

Summary objective Measures to prevent postoperative catabolism may be of greatest benefit in the elderly because of their reduced lean tissue reserve. We examined the effects of recombinant human growth hormone (GH) treatment on body composition and physical performance in elderly patients undergoing elective total hip replacement. methods We recruited 33 patients (aged 60–82 years) scheduled for hip replacement. The study was double‐blind and placebo‐controlled with parallel groups. GH or placebo was administered for 14 weeks preoperatively (target GH dose 0·04 U/kg/day) and 4 weeks postoperatively (with dose doubled for first 2 weeks postoperatively). Serum IGF‐I, body composition, mid‐thigh muscle cross‐sectional area, muscle strength and 4‐min walking distance were measured at baseline, 2–3 days preoperatively and 4 weeks postoperatively. results Mean serum IGF‐I doubled during GH treatment. Lean body mass increased preoperatively by an average of 5·2% (representing 1·8 kg) with GH treatment (P