Insulin sensitivity and β-cell function in adults with lifetime, untreated isolated growth hormone deficiency.

Context: GH reduces insulin sensitivity (IS), whereas IGF-I increases it. IGF-I seems to be critical for the development of the β-cells, and impaired IS has been reported in GH deficiency (GHD).

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess IS and β-cell function in adult patients with untreated isolated GHD (IGHD) due to a homozygous mutation in the GHRH receptor gene.

Design, Setting, And Patients: We conducted a cross-sectional study in 24 GH-naive adult IGHD subjects and 25 controls.

Intervention: We performed an oral glucose tolerance test with glucose and insulin measurements at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 180 min.

Main Outcome Measures: IS was assessed by homeostasis model assessment index of insulin resistance (IR), quantitative IS check index, oral glucose IS in 2 h (OGIS2) and 3 h (OGIS3). β-Cell function was assayed by homeostasis model assessment index-β, insulinogenic index, and area under the curve of insulin-glucose ratio.

Results: During the oral glucose tolerance test, glucose levels were higher in IGHD subjects (P<0.0001), whereas insulin response presented a trend toward reduction (P=0.08). The number of individuals with impaired glucose tolerance was higher in the IGHD group (P=0.001), whereas the frequency of diabetes was similar in the two groups. Homeostasis model assessment index of IR was lower (P=0.04), and quantitative IS check index and OGIS2 showed a nonsignificant trend toward elevation (P=0.066 and P=0.09, respectively) in IGHD. OGIS3 showed no difference between the groups. Homeostasis model assessment index-β, insulinogenic index, and ratio of the areas of the insulin and glucose curves were reduced in the IGDH group (P=0.015, P<0.0001, and P=0.02, respectively).

Conclusions: Adult subjects with lifetime congenital untreated IGHD present reduced β-cell function, no evidence of IR, and higher frequency of impaired glucose tolerance.