title: Evidence-based growth hormone therapy prediction models.
abstract: Prediction models describing the response of various pathophysiological states to intervention can be of value in confirming a diagnosis, determining the prognosis and promoting compliance with treatment. The rigorous evaluation process of evidence-based medicine, used to assess any diagnostic test or therapeutic intervention, should be applied to studies reporting the development, validation and application of these prediction models. The models can provide only an estimate of the average effect to be expected, so the failure of an individual to exhibit an 'average' response does not necessarily imply a problem with that patient. Further development of the models is required to overcome inherent statistical problems and to allow greater applicability to the individual patient.
authors.affiliation: London Centre for Paediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, Institute of Child Health, University College London, UK. p.hindmarsh@ucl.ac.uk
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Hindmarsh
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Cole
mesh_terms: D001827:Body Height; D002648:Child; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical
chemical_list: D019382:Human Growth Hormone