Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate growth factors in patients with hypermobility syndrome (HMS), namely insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and growth hormone (GH). METHODS: Standard radioimmunoassay quantified serum levels of insulin, IGF-1, and GH in 24 women and 7 men with HMS, and in suitable age and sex matched controls. Several patients with other heritable connective disorders were also studied, including congenital hip dysplasia and severe kyphosis. RESULTS: Patients with HMS and with otherwise unexplained joint and muscle pain were found to have elevated levels of insulin, IGF-1, and GH. Patients with heritable connective tissue disorders had elevated GH levels, and several patients had elevated insulin and IGF-1 levels. CONCLUSION: In patients with HMS, elevation of serum growth factors helps establish the diagnosis. GH alone can induce muscle and joint pain.
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