Isolated growth hormone (GH) deficiency in adult patients: Baseline clinical characteristics and responses to GH replacement in comparison with hypopituitary patients. A sub-analysis of the KIMS database

GHD patients with AO-IGHD and AO-MPHD present with a similar clinical expression and respond similarly to GH replacement. Patients with CO-IGHD are less severely affected by GHD than CO-MPHD patients, but, nevertheless, both groups show a comparable adverse lipid profile and poor quality of life and respond favourably to GH replacement. These findings support the concept that GH alone is responsible for most if not all metabolic aspects of hypopituitary patients receiving conventional replacement therapy, regardless of age of onset or aetiology. As a consequence, GH replacement therapy not only has potential benefit in GHD patients with additional hormonal deficits, but also the indication of treatment must be extended to patients with isolated GHD.