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- Title
Efficacy of needle-free administration of recombinant human growth hormone in adults with growth hormone deficiency.
- Authors
Pereira, Alberto M.; van der Klaauw, Agatha A.; Koppeschaar, Hans P. F.; Smit, Jan W. A.; van Thiel, Sjoerd W.; van Doorn, Jaap; Biermasz, Nienke R.; Roelfsema, Ferdinand; Romijn, Johannes A.
- Abstract
Aim Needle-free administration of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) is effective in the treatment of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in children, but has not been studied in adult patients. Therefore, we evaluated the efficacy of needle-free administration of rhGH in adults with GHD. Methods Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) concentrations were compared in newly diagnosed patients with GHD ( n = 21) and in patients previously treated by subcutaneous injection of rhGH (switchers, n = 34), at baseline, 12 months and 24 months. Results In the new patients, IGF-I standard deviation scores (SDS) increased from − 1.82 ± 0.46 to + 0.75 ± 0.33 at 12 months and to + 0.65 ± 0.41 at 24 months ( P ≤ 0.001 vs. baseline). In switchers, IGF-I SDS remained unchanged with values of + 0.98 ± 0.32 at baseline, + 0.87 ± 0.23 at 12 months and + 0.73 ± 0.29 at 24 months ( P = 0.696 vs. baseline). In new patients, the rhGH dose was 0.46 ± 0.03 mg day−1 at 12 months and 0.47 ± 0.03 mg day−1 at 24 months. In switchers, the rhGH dose was 0.53 ± 0.04 mg day−1 at baseline (s.c. injection), 0.52 ± 0.03 mg day−1 at 12 months and 0.48 ± 0.03 mg day−1 at 24 months (NS between the different time points). There was no difference in the dose of rhGH at 12 and 24 months between the two groups. Side-effects were generally minor and consisted of local tissue reactions. Conclusion Administration of rhGH by needle-free, transdermal injection is effective in maintaining IGF-I concentrations in the normal range for age in adults with GHD, and is as effective as traditional subcutaneous injection of rhGH.
- Subjects
PITUITARY hormones; HUMAN growth hormone; DRUG administration; PITUITARY dwarfism; GROWTH disorders; THERAPEUTICS; GROWTH factors; INSULIN
- Publication
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 2006, Vol 61, Issue 4, p451
- ISSN
0306-5251
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1365-2125.2006.02585.x