Differences in Response to Recombinant Growth Hormone Therapy on Height Gain in Patients with Idiopathic Short Stature Vs. Patients with Growth Hormone Deficiency

Objective The use of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in patients with idiopathic short stature (ISS) has been an area of concern since some studies reported less desired effects of the drug in this group of patients as compared to patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD). In addition, there were no studies addressing the effects of rhGH in Saudi children. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective study to observe the effects one year of treatment with rhGH on the mean height gain in patients with ISS and GHD. Methods This retrospective study took place at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Jeddah. The study subjects included two groups of patients (GHD vs ISS). Patients' files were reviewed from January 2000 to January 2018 using the following parameters: chronological age, bone age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), growth hormone stimulation test, and growth velocity (GV). After one year of treatment, the height, weight, and BMI of the study subjects were monitored and assessed. Results The total number of patients was 55, 36 of which were diagnosed with GHD while 19 were diagnosed with ISS. The mean age of patients with GHD and ISS were 10.7±2.38 and 10.91±2.74 years, respectively. Both groups showed a significant increase in height. The initial height for patients with GHD was 125.26±12.27 cm, and they achieved a mean height of 134.231±12.88 cm after one year of treatment. For the other group, the initial height for ISS patients was 125.51±10.94 cm, and they achieved a mean height of 134.04±10.90 cm after one-year therapy. However, after the treatment, there was no significant difference in the height gain between GHD and ISS patients (134.231±12.88, 134.04±10.90, respectively, P=0.437). Conclusion The short-term use of rhGH has a potent and similar effect on increasing the height of both patients diagnosed with ISS as well as GHD.