Untreated growth hormone deficiency explains premature mortality in patients with hypopituitarism

Untreated growth hormone deficiency (GHD) might explain the increased mortality reported in patients with hypopituitarism. These statistics appear to be largely attributable to cardiovascular disease. Differences in fibrinolytic activity regulators, together with dyslipidaemias, abdominal obesity and raised blood pressure in hypopituitarism might explain this increased risk. There is growing evidence that treatment with growth hormone (GH) can rectify most of the cardiovascular abnormalities associated with GHD. The reported improved psychosocial well-being in response to GH treatment may also be important in lowering risk in this group of patients. (C) 1998 Churchill Livingstone.