SI-PO-1392

Wednesday 15:00, Palau de Congressos, Exhibition Hall  [Display No. 654]

EFFECT OF GROWTH HORMONE IN COMBINATION WITH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH FIBROMYALGIA: A PROSPECTIVE; RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED STUDY. Klingenstierna U, Carlsson J, Johannsson G, Bagge E; Institute of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, Department of Endocrinology and Department of Rheumatology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at  Göteborg University, Göteborg Sweden. PURPOSE: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a disorder mainly affecting women, defined by widespread muscular pain, sleep disturbances, fatigue, emotional stress, headache and irritable bowel. Although the research on FM has been extensive, its etiology and pathogenesis have not been clarified. No curative treatment is currently available. Previous studies have pointed towards a disturbed secretion of growth hormone (GH) in patients with FM. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of (GH) in combination with physical activity regarding pain, physical function and quality of life in patients with FM. RELEVANCE: Physiotherapists often treat patients with FM. Graded physical activity is a form of treatment commonly used by physiotherapists for this group of patients with good results. The combination of GH and physical activity may lead to a better result than treatment with merely physical activity. DESCRIPTION: A prospective, randomized, double-blind placebo controlled study of 40 patients with FM who will take GH or placebo in combination with physical activity during 12 months.  All patients will be evaluated regarding GH, general health status, physical function (Grippit, The Health Assessment Questionnaire, assessment of shoulder function, index of muscle function, activity diary) pain (Global visual analogue scale, Pain Matcher, Pain-O-Meter),  and quality of life (SF-36) during treatment and 12 months after completion of treatment. OBSERVATIONS: No side effects have been reported. CONCLUSIONS: It is of great significance to find treatments that can relieve the pain and associated disorders in patients with FM and to increase physical activity and function in these patients with chronic problems.  The study is going on at the moment. Preliminary results will be presented.