Muscle strength in elderly adults with GH deficiency after 10 years of GH replacement.

CONTEXT: Only few studies have investigated the effects of GH replacement on muscle strength in elderly patients with GH deficiency (GHD). OBJECTIVE, DESIGN, AND PATIENTS: In this prospective open-labeled study, the effects of 10 years of GH replacement on muscle strength and neuromuscular function were followed in 24 elderly GHD adults (mean age of 65.2 years; range 61-74 years). Muscle strength was compared with reference values obtained from the background population.

RESULTS: The mean initial GH dose of 0.72 mg/day was lowered to 0.37 mg/day. The mean IGF1 SDS increased from -1.10 at baseline to 1.17 at study end. GH replacement induced a sustained increase in lean body mass and a transient increase in isometric knee flexor strength. Isometric knee extensor strength was reduced after 10 years. However, after correction for age and gender, using observed/predicted value ratios, there was sustained and even progressive increase in most variables reflecting muscle strength. Measurements of neuromuscular function showed unchanged voluntary motor unit activation after 10 years.

CONCLUSIONS: Ten years of GH replacement therapy in elderly GHD adults resulted in a transient increase in isometric knee flexor strength, and provided protection from most of the normal age-related decline in muscle performance and neuromuscular function.