Adult height and health-related quality of life after growth hormone therapy in small for gestational age subjects.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in non-growth hormone deficient (GHD) small for gestational age (SGA) children before and after growth hormone (GH) treatment to adult height (AH).


METHODS
This was a multicentre, two-arm trial. Following an initial 2-year double-blind study period, patients entered a 2-year extension period followed by treatment to AH. At baseline patients were randomised to GH (0.033 or 0.067 mg/kg/day) and continued treatment at that dose until AH. Height was assessed at baseline and 3-monthly intervals to AH (height velocity <2 cm/year). Height standard deviation score (SDS) before and after GH therapy was mapped onto estimated HRQoL scores up to AH.


RESULTS
Of the 79 children randomised into the study 53 were non-GHD (defined as peak GH >20 mU/L [peak 24-h GH value and peak arginine tolerance test]). At baseline these children had a mean (mean [+/-SD]) height SDS of -3.2 (0.7), height velocity SDS -0.6 (1.2) and age, 8.1 (1.9) years. Estimated HRQoL scores were significantly (p < 0.001) increased from baseline at AH (ΔHRQoL, 95% CI) (0.033 mg/kg/day, 0.112 [0.092, 0.132]; 0.067 mg/kg/day, 0.115 [0.094, 0.136]). HRQoL was not different between treatment groups. A significant gain in AH, relative to an SGA reference population, was reported in GH-treated patients. Mean (95% CI) ΔAH SDS (0.033 mg/kg/day, +1.4 [1.1, 1.6]. 0.067 mg/kg/day, +1.7[1.4, 2.0]).


CONCLUSIONS
The analysis assumes HRQoL can be mapped onto height SDS.


CONCLUSIONS
GH treatment in short children born SGA without signs of persistent catch-up growth was associated with significant improvement in HRQoL and normalisation of AH.
Bannink
E
E
Erasmus MC, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Djurhuus
C B
CB
Christensen
T
T
Jøns
K
K
Hokken-Koelega
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D001827:Body Height; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age / Q000254:growth & development*; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D019382:Human Growth Hormone