COPING AND SATISFACTION OF SHORT STATURE CHILDREN TREATED WITH GROWTH HORMONE

Abstract

This study deals with the coping ability and satisfaction with treatment of children whose stature was 2+ included: 1) Children with normal response to growth hormone (GH) stimulation test without underlying disease (n = 65); and 2) Children with underlying disease with normal or abnormal response to stimulation GH test (n = 31). Patients were treated with daily injections of recombinant G.H. for 6-66 months. Self-administered questionnaires were completed on a regular visit to the outpatient clinic to assess coping and satisfaction with treatment. The average scores for coping and satisfaction were 3.2 and 3.0 respectively, on a scale ranging from 1 to 4 (low through high coping and satisfaction). No significant differences were found between genders, ages, length of treatment or the presence of daily injections for several years, patients cope and are satisfied with the treatment.