title: Combined evaluation of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 as an index of efficacy and safety in growth hormone treated patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Measurement of serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels has been recommended as a useful index for monitoring of growth hormone (GH) therapy in GH deficient children. In this study we aimed to evaluate IGF-1/IGFBP-3 molar ratio during GH treatment as an index of safety and efficacy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels and molar ratio of IGF-1/IGFBP-3 were evaluated in 50 GH deficienct children, during 3 years of GH therapy and these parameters were compared with the growth response.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients completed the first year, 38 the second year and 26 the third year of therapy. Although 15 patients in the first year, 5 patients in the second year, and 5 patients in the third year had high IGF-1 SDS values, height increments were similar in the low IGF-1 group and in the normal or high IGF-1 level groups. Molar ratios were also not statistically different between the groups. Molar ratio of IGF-1/IGFBP-3 seemed to be more reliable in evaluating the efficacy than basal IGF-1 level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Evaluation of the molar ratio of IGF-1/IGFBP-3 may be recommended as a tool to monitor GH treatment and it may be possible to individualize GH treatment accordingly.
authors.affiliation: Ankara University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Ankara, Turkey. zeynepsklr@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Zeynep
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Sıklar
authors.forename: Gönül
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Öcal
authors.forename: Merih
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berberoğlu
authors.forename: Pelin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bilir
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000172:deficiency / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / Q000097:blood*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C515497:IGFBP3 protein, human; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I