Partial growth hormone deficiency is associated with an adverse cardiovascular risk profile and increased carotid intima-medial thickness

P>Objective To quantify the relative prevalence of surrogate markers of vascular risk in adults with partial GH deficiency (GH insufficiency, GHI). Context Hypopituitary adults with untreated GH deficiency (GHD) have an excess vascular mortality and demonstrate clustering of adverse vascular risk factors. The vascular risk profile of GHI adults has yet to be comprehensively studied. Design A cross-sectional case controlled study. Patients Thirty GHD adults, 24 GHI, and 30 age- and sex-matched controls. GHI adults were defined biochemically using two GH stimulation tests (peak GH 3-7 mu g/l). Measurements Serum lipids and apolipoproteins, plasminogen activator inhibitor type-I (PAI-I), C-reactive protein (CRP), lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)], fibrinogen, blood pressure and carotid intima-medial thickness (IMT). Results IGF-I levels of GHI adults were lower than controls (373 +/- 123 vs 295 +/- 104 mu g/l; P < 0 center dot 001). Total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) values were consistently between those of, but not significantly different from, GHD and control subjects. GHI adults showed significantly elevated PAI-I levels [80 (13-98) vs 50 center dot 5 (3-98) ng/ml; P = 0 center dot 01], although no there were differences in CRP, Lp(a), and fibrinogen levels compared with control subjects. No differences in systolic or diastolic blood pressure were shown between study groups. In parallel with the increased vascular risk profile of GH-insufficient adults, carotid IMT was significantly increased (0 center dot 503 +/- 0 center dot 08 vs 0 center dot 578 +/- 0 center dot 130 mm; P = 0 center dot 02). TC, LDL-C, Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR), truncal fat mass, and IMT correlated with IGF-I levels and GH status. TG, K-ITT, and PAI-I additionally correlated with GH status, but not with IGF-I levels. Conclusion GHI adults are at elevated vascular risk, reflected by adverse surrogate markers and increased carotid IMT. The surrogate risk marker profile parallels GHD adults, but is less divergent from that observed in healthy individuals. No data are yet available as to whether these anomalies will be reflected in an increased vascular mortality in GHI adults.