Psychosocial adjustment in a large cohort of adults with growth hormone deficiency treated with growth hormone in childhood: summary of a questionnaire survey

Abstract

The quality of life of adult patients with growth hormone (GH) deficiency, who ceased GH therapy before the age of 20 years, was surveyed. Questionnaires were sent to 1116 patients and their physicians, asking about socioeconomic status and for medical information, respectively. Response rates were 64% and 69%, respectively. The final height of the patients was about -2 SD in 61% of those surveyed. The distributions of occupation and income were similar to those in the general population. Patients with a final adult height below 155 cm (men) and below 140 cm (women) felt disadvantaged in terms of obtaining employment and finding partners. Slight psychological problems in these patients were revealed by the Cornell Medical Index health questionnaire.