Endocrine Abstracts

The clinical syndrome associated with profound growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in adults has now been established and recognised for more than ten years. The multiple physiological and metabolic actions of growth hormone (GH) has been shown in a logical way to translate into recognisable symptoms and signs in individuals lacking the hormone. Normalization of abnormal physiological and metabolic parameters secondary to GH-replacement therapy has been demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt. Yet the clinical practice in the various countries in Europe in terms of replacing adult GHD patients with GH shows huge variation. Part but not all of this variability in clinical practice is due to economic factors.

The present status for GH-replacement therapy in adults in Europe will be reviewed and discussed.