Efficacy and safety of long-acting growth hormone in adult growth hormone deficiency: A systematic review and meta-analysis

No meta-analysis has analysed efficacy and safety of long-acting growth hormone (GH) therapy in adult GH deficiency. We undertook this meta-analysis to address this gap in knowledge METHODS: Electronic databases were searched for RCTs involving adult GH deficiency patients receiving weekly long-acting GH as compared to daily GH/placebo controls. Primary outcome was to evaluate changes in body-composition parameters. Secondary outcomes were to evaluate alterations in glycaemia and adverse-events.Data from 5 studies involving 648 patients were analysed (4 studies having daily GH as active controls; 1 study having placebo as passive controls). Over 24-34 weeks clinical use, patients receiving long-acting GH had comparable change in lean mass [MD-0.28 kg (95%CI: 0.94 - 0.38); P = 0.41; I2 = 29% (low heterogeneity)] and fat mass [MD-0.10 kg (95%CI: 1.97-1.78); P = 0.92; I2 = 77%(considerable heterogeneity)] as compared to daily GH injections. Long-acting GH use was associated with significantly lower visceral adipose tissue [MD-1.75 cm2(95%CI: 2.14 to -1.35); P < 0.01; I2 = 0% (low heterogeneity)] and higher gynoid fat-mass [MD 0.14 kg(95%CI:0.02-0.26); P = 0.03] compared to daily GH injections. Total adverse events [Risk ratio (RR) 1.65 (95% CI: 0.83-3.29); P = 0.15; I2 = 68%] and severe adverse events [RR 0.60 (95% CI: 0.30-1.19); P = 0.14; I2 = 0%] were not significantly different in long-acting GH group compared to controls. Occurrence of headache, arthralgia, nasopharyngitis, new onset diabetes, anti-GH antibodies were comparable among groups. Long-acting GH users had significantly higher treatment adherence compared to controls [OR 4.80 (95%CI:3.58-6.02); P < 0.01; I2 = 0%].Long-acting GH has comparable beneficial impact on body composition parameters in adult GH deficiency, is well tolerated without any increased adverse events.