The drug raised IGF-I levels by about 1.7 standard deviations — a big, normal-range boost that shows the treatment worked well without going overboard.
Scientific Claim
In obese adults with reduced GH, the increase in IGF-I standard deviation score (SDS) after tesamorelin treatment was 1.69, indicating a substantial physiological increase within the normal age-adjusted range.
Original Statement
“IGF-I SDS also increased (change from baseline, 1.69 ± 0.52 vs 0.37 ± 0.15, tesamorelin vs placebo; P=.02).”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
definitive
Can make definitive causal claims
Assessment Explanation
This is a direct, measured outcome with precise numerical values and statistical significance. Definitive language is appropriate for reporting the magnitude of change.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
The effects of tesamorelin on phosphocreatine recovery in obese subjects with reduced GH.
This study found that a drug called tesamorelin boosted a growth-related hormone (IGF-I) in obese people with low growth hormone, and this boost was big enough to be helpful for their body’s energy production — which matches the claim that the increase was meaningful and normal.