Growth hormone (GH) replacement in GH deficient (GHD) adults has clearly demonstrated improvements in body composition, cardiovascular risk factors, bone mineral density and exercise capacity.

A meta-analysis of short-term controlled studies conducted by Widdowson and Gibney failed to demonstrate any evidence for increased muscle strength in GH replacement, despite clear evidence of this occurring in longer-term studies. The authors suggest this is due to the low statistical power and duration of the original studies. Widdowson, WM and Gibney, J (2010), Clinical Endocrinology 72.

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2009.03716.x