Growth hormone treatment improves body composition in adults with Prader-Willi syndrome

Summary objective Low growth hormone (GH) secretion and hypogonadism are common in patients with Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS). In this study we present the effects of GH treatment on body composition and metabolism in adults with PWS. patients and measurements Nineteen patients with clinical PWS were recruited, 13 had PWS genotype. They were randomised to treatment with placebo or GH (Genotropin®, Pharmacia Corporation, Sweden) 0·8 IU (0·2 mg) daily for 1 month and then 1·6 IU (0·5 mg) daily for 5 months. Thereafter patients recieved open label treatment so that all had 12 months of active GH treatment. Doses were individually titrated to keep serum IGF‐I within the normal range for age. Body composition using dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA), metabolic and endocrinological parameters, including oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), were studied every 6 months. Seventeen patients, nine men and eight women, 17–32 years of age, with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 35 ± 3·2 kg/m2 completed the study. results Compared to placebo, GH treatment increased IGF‐I (P