Growth hormone and sleep

Growth, Genetics, and Hormones is a free e-newsletter, primarily for endocrinologists (but anyone can sign up and receive it). One very nice feature they have is a review of recent articles of interest in the literature, with editorial comments about the implications of the studies. Here : they review a recent article by Dr. Miller regarding the initiation of growth hormone therapy and sleep in PWS. (Miller J, Silverstein J, Shuster J, Driscoll DJ, Wagner M. Short-term effects of growth hormone on sleep abnormalities in Prader-Willi Syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2005; epub (10.1210/jc.2005-1279). That paper looked at the changes in sleep in the 6 weeks following initiation of GH therapy. Most patients had better sleep (less apnea), and this is consistent with longer term studies that show improvements in sleep quality. However, about a third had worsening of sleep disturbances – generally associated with enlarged tonsils and upper respiratory infections. They recommended sleep studies at baseline and 6 weeks after initiating GH therapy in patients with PWS. GGH comments on their findings.