GH Replacement Therapy Is Associated with Ameliorations in Body Composition and Fatty Liver Index in Patients with Adult-Onset Isolated GH Deficiency

Background/Objectives: Patients with isolated adult-onset growth hormone (GH) deficiency may present with hepatic steatosis and metabolic dysfunction. The effect of replacement therapy on metabolic phenotype has not been exhaustively studied yet. Methods: Patients with isolated adult-onset GH deficiency (GHD) were enrolled and prescribed GH-replacement therapy. DEXA scans for assessing body composition, anthropometric and biochemical parameters were evaluated at baseline and after 12 months of therapy. A fatty liver index, hepatic steatosis index and Fibrosis 4-test were calculated at baseline and after 12 months of therapy. Results and Conclusions: In our cohort, GH replacement therapy in adults with isolated adult-onset GHD is associated with weight loss and reduction of BMI (p < 0.001), amelioration in body composition with reduction in fat mass and trunk fat (respectively, p = 0.023 and p = 0.02), amelioration in lipid profile (significant reduction of total and LDL cholesterol and increase in HDL cholesterol) and reduction in fatty liver index (p = 0.021). Further long-term, randomized studies with bigger cohorts and advanced diagnostics are needed to confirm these results of our exploratory study.