Effect of Growth Hormone Treatment on Fractures and Quality of Life in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: A 10-Year Follow-Up Study

Context: Growth hormone (GH) treatment increases bone mineral density (BMD) in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Objective: The objective was to report bone data, fractures, and quality of life (QoL) in a 10-year follow-up of women who had received GH for 3 years and compared with controls followed in parallel. Design and Setting: A follow-up of a double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted at Sahlgrenska University Hospital was performed. Patients: Eighty women aged between 50 and 70 years with osteoporosis and estrogen hormone replacement were studied and compared with an age-matched random population sample of women (n = 120) from the World Health Organization Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease project (Gothenburg, Sweden). Interventions: Patients were randomized to OH 1.0 U or OH 2.5 U recombinant human OH or placebo sc daily during 3 years. All received calcium 750 mg and vitamin D 400 U and were followed up during 10 years. Main Outcome Measures: BMD and bone mineral content were measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. QoL was estimated with the 36-item Short Form. Results: G H increased BMD and bone mineral content dose dependently in all regions (P =.01, GH 1.0 U, and P =.0006, GH 2.5 U vs placebo). After 10 years the number of fractures decreased from 56% to 28% (P =.0003) in patients evenly distributed between groups. In controls, fractures increased from 8% to 32% (P =.0008). QoL did not change during GH treatment or during the 10-year follow-up and did not differ compared with controls. Conclusion: OH treatment was beneficial for bone and fracture outcome after 10 years but did not affect the QoL of the women with postmenopausal osteoporosis.