Endocrine Abstracts

JOINT1459

Introduction: Biologically inactive growth hormone (BIGH) was described in 1978 as an indication for growth hormone (GH) treatment. Currently, this entity is not listed as an indication for GH treatment by some state committees. Initially, its diagnosis was equated with neurosecretory dysfunction, but this entity is no longer considered as its diagnosis is not methodologically feasible. At this time, the diagnosis in our community is defined based on clinical criteria (Height<-2 SDS and/or 2 SDS below target height and growth velocity (GV) <p25 and analytical criteria (Normal GH stimulation test, low IGF-1 levels with excluded proven cause, IGF-1 increased response to treatment with exogenous GH for 5 days).

Objectives: To analyse the clinical characteristics of patients monitored in a tertiary hospital who have been treated with GH for suspected BIGH. To find out whether there are side effects related to GH treatment.

Patients and methodology: Retrospective observational study of GH-treated patients with the diagnosis of BIGH. Thirty patients (seven girls) have been treated with normal neonatal anthropometry except for four SGA with catch-up. Twenty-six patients were analysed at three years. Variables studied: at baseline: Age (ABT), Height-SDS (HBT-SDS), BMI-SDS (BMIBT-SDS), Growth velocity-SDS (GSBT-SDS), difference between chronological age and bone age (CA-BABT); Three years after GH treatment: H3BT-SDS, BMI3-SDS, GS3T-SDS, CA-BA3T. In 18 patients who have reached final height: Final Height-SDS-Target Height-SDS (FH-SDS-TH-SDS) was studied. Statistical analysis using SPSS. Non-parametric Wilconson test for related samples.

Results: Mean target height-SDS: 0.9±0.91 (2 patients with familial short stature). ABT (years): 9.3±3.8 (range: 2.5-16). All the variables analysed are statistically significantly at 3 years, including CA-BA, than at baseline. Final height improved (P <0.01) compared to baseline and at 3 years of treatment. In absolute numbers and by sex: In boys TH: 170,48±3,30 and FH: 168,71±3,50. In girls TH: 159.56±10.8 and FH: 159.13±5.50. Only two children’s FH is short and 7 children exceed their target height.

Conclusions: 1. Patients diagnosed with BIGH and treated with GH clearly improve their final height.2. The majority reach the target height.