Improvement in cardiac systolic function and reduced prevalence of metabolic syndrome after 2 years of GH treatment in GH deficient adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

• Context: Survivors of childhood- onset ( CO) acute lymphoblastic leukemia ( ALL) treated with prophylactic cranial radiotherapy often exhibit GH deficiency ( GHD), which is associated with increased prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and cardiac dysfunction. Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of GH replacement on cardiovascular risk factors and cardiac function in former CO ALL patients. Design: Eighteen former CO ALL patients ( aged 19 - 32 yr) treated with cranial radiotherapy ( 18 - 24 Gy) and chemotherapy and with confirmed GHD were studied at baseline and after 12 ( n = 18) and 24 months ( n = 13) of GH treatment ( median 0.5 mg/ d). A group of 18 age- and sex- matched subjects served as controls. Results: After 12 months of GH treatment, a significant decrease in serum leptin ( P = 0.002), leptin per kilogram fat mass ( FM) ( P = 0.01),plasma glucose ( P = 0.004), FM ( P = 0.002), and hip ( P = 0.04) and waist ( P = 0.02) circumference and increased muscle mass ( P = 0.004) were recorded in the patients. Before GH treatment six patients had a metabolic syndrome, but after 12 months only one had it and after 24 months none. After 24 months of GH treatment, an increase in left ventricular mass index ( P = 0.06) and significant improvements in cardiac systolic function, measured as fractional shortening ( P = 0.03) and ejection fraction ( P = 0.03), were recorded. Conclusions: Improvement in cardiac systolic function and reduced prevalence of metabolic syndrome were recorded after 2 yr of GH replacement in former CO ALL patients with GHD. Long- term follow-up is highly warranted.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Annan klinisk medicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Other Clinical Medicine (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Kardiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)