Objective
There is increasing interest in growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy to improve quality of life (QoL) of elderly with age-related decline in GH level (somatopause). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of GH replacement on the QoL in patients with somatopause. Method: A prospective study of 56 adults with somatopause was conducted. They were replaced with a GH over a 6-month period. QoL was assessed by using three self-rating questionnaires: the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), the Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI) and the Assessment of Growth Hormone Deficiency in Adults (AGHDA). Results: Significant impairment in QoL as measured by NHP, PGWBI and AGHDA were noted in patients with somatopause compared with age and sex matched normal population (p＜0.05). There was significant improvement in QoL after 6-month of GH replacement (p＜0.05). Conclusion: Six months GH replacement induced an improvement in the QoL of patients with somatopause. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2007; 31: 202-206)
