Effects of low-dose growth hormone withdrawal in patients with HIV.

摘要

To the Editor: In an 18-month randomized placebo-controlled study of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) having abdominal fat accumulation and relative growth hormone (GH) deficiency, low-dose, long-term GH reduced visceral adipose tissue (VAT) but worsened glucose control. To investigate changes in VAT and other parameters after GH discontinuation, data from an extension in which participants crossed over from their initial treatment (months 0-18) to the opposite treatment (immediately after the month 18 visit through month 36) were analyzed.