Abstract
The psychological and social status of adults previously treated in chilhood for short stature due to GHD has received little attention to date. These parameters were studied in a group of 28 adults with GHD: 16 with isolated GHD (treatment duration (id) : X= 6.7 yr, final height (fh): −2.3 SD in 12 boys and −2.4 SD in 4 girls and chronologic age at evaluation (CAe): X= 21.3 yr) and 12 with multiple pituitary GHD (dt: X= 9.9 yr, fh: X= −2.0 in 9 boys and −2.3, 0.3, 0.5 in 3 girls and CAe: X= 23.5 yr. All of them were idiopathic. A comparative study in the social aspects was performed in siblings. The study methods included: semistructured interview, special questionnaires and the following tests: Raven (intelligence), MMPI-Minnesota multiphasic personality inventory- (personality), STAI -State-treit (anxiety), Hamilton (depression) and CIMEC (local Spanish body image test). Patients showed different degrees of social maladjusment : social withdrawal, inhibition, parenteral dependency and depressive mood. The impact of short stature was never positive at school. In the cognitive area, academic achievement was low although intelligence quotients were normal. In contrast to their siblings the majority of patients lailed to med Spanish education standards. The unemployment rate was high. Self-esteem was generally low in both sexes. 60% had never experienced sexual intercourse and only 2 were married. Expectations of treatment were fulfilled in only 50% of cases. We conclude that GHD patients require psychological attention while undergoing GH treatment in chilhood.
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Vicens-Calvet, E., Bargadá, M., Potau, N. et al. PSYCHOSOCIAL STATUS OF GROWTH HORMONE DEFICIENT (GHD) PATIENTS IN ADULTHOOD. Pediatr Res 33 (Suppl 5), S44 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199305001-00245
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199305001-00245