Does Ght Improve Health-related Quality Of Life In Short Stature Children? A Systematic Review

Objective : To review the impact of growth hormone treatment on health-related quality of life domains in short stature children. Data Sources : We searched the English peer-reviewed literature in online databases from January 1990 - June 2010. Thirty-two articles were reviewed and data extracted by two independent reviewers. Twelve studies satisfied inclusion and exclusion criteria. Study selection : Studies of children with idiopathic short stature, short for gestational age, idiopathic or acquired growth hormone deficiency and outcome measures relating to health-related quality of life. Main Exposures : Recombinant growth hormone treatment. Main Outcome Measures : Health-related quality of life measures, intelligence quotient, child behaviour, bullying/teasing, coping, body image and self-concept. Results : Short and normal stature children differed in behaviour but not other measures. No differences were found in health-related quality of life depending on growth hormone treatment or improvements with treatment over time. Conclusions : There is little current evidence to suggest children receiving growth hormone treatment have better health-related quality of life than comparable groups not receiving treatment, or that health-related quality of life improves during treatment. Psychological interventions should be considered where health-related quality of life is compromised.