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Growth Hormone Therapy for the Elderly: The Fountain of Youth Proves Toxic FREE

Kevin E. Yarasheski, PhD; Jeffrey J. Zachwieja, PhD
JAMA. 1993;270(14):1694-1694. doi:10.1001/jama.1993.03510140054027
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To the Editor.  —We1 and others2,3 have proposed the use of recombinant human growth hormone (GH) therapy for the elderly in an attempt to retard the undesirable changes in muscle mass and function, body fat, and bone mineral content associated with advancing age, and the subsequent impact these have on health care costs. Our initial enthusiasm for this idea has declined as the result of an unexpectedly high incidence of side effects of GH therapy in this population.In 12 healthy older men (63 to 76 years of age) and two women (68 and 73 years of age) who received daily GH (12.5 γg/kg per day, n=12) or placebo injections (n=2) for 4 months to assess the effects of GH therapy on body composition and muscle strength, we have experienced a notable subject attrition rate related to symptoms of carpal tunnel compression, fluid retention, and arthralgia—complications not frequently

REFERENCES

Yarasheski HE, Campbell JA, Smith K, Rennie JO, Holloszy JO, Bier DM.  Effect of growth hormone and resistance exercise on muscle growth in young men. Am J Physiol . 1992;;262:E261-E267.
Rudman D, Feller AG, Nagraj HS, et al.  Effects of human growth hormone in men over 60 years old. N Engl J Med . 1990;;323:1-6.
Marcus R, Butterfield G, Holloway L, et al.  Effects of short-term administration of human growth hormone to elderly people. J Clin Endocrinol Metab . 1990;;70:519-527.

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Country-Specific Mortality and Growth Failure in Infancy and Yound Children and Association With Material Stature

Use interactive graphics and maps to view and sort country-specific infant and early dhildhood mortality and growth failure data and their association with maternal

Yarasheski HE, Campbell JA, Smith K, Rennie JO, Holloszy JO, Bier DM.  Effect of growth hormone and resistance exercise on muscle growth in young men. Am J Physiol . 1992;;262:E261-E267.
Rudman D, Feller AG, Nagraj HS, et al.  Effects of human growth hormone in men over 60 years old. N Engl J Med . 1990;;323:1-6.
Marcus R, Butterfield G, Holloway L, et al.  Effects of short-term administration of human growth hormone to elderly people. J Clin Endocrinol Metab . 1990;;70:519-527.
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