Use of the Growth Hormone Stimulation Test Result in the Management of Patients With a Short Stature.

Introduction A proportionate short stature (SS) assessment involves the documentation of normal growth hormone secretion via a growth hormone (GH) stimulation test. All available GH stimulation tests have some disadvantages. The decision to initiate GH therapy is dependent on multiple factors, including the GH stimulation test result. However, many patients receive GH therapy, even if they have a normal GH stimulation test result, with the indication of a presumed idiopathic SS. Objective In this study, we investigated the use of the GH stimulation test result in initiating GH therapy. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted with patients diagnosed with proportionate SS. Age, gender, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) level, and GH stimulation test results were collected retrospectively from the electronic medical records. The main outcome variable was the decision related to prescribing GH therapy. Results A total of 286 patient charts were reviewed, and the majority (n = 201, 64.6%) were male. For just less than half (n = 136, 47.6%), the result of the GH stimulation test was ≥ 10 ng/mL, in a small proportion (n = 53, 18.5%) the result was < 5 ng/mL, and for the rest of the cohort, the result was 5.0 - 9.9 ng/mL. The majority (n = 219, 70.4%) received GH therapy, irrespective of the GH stimulation test result. The odds ratio (OR) for GH treatment was 3.9 (CI: 1.79 - 8.49) and 3.0 (CI: 1.21 - 7.42) for patients with a result < 5 ng/mL and 5.0 - 9.9 ng/mL, respectively, compared to the group with a result of ≥ 10 ng/mL. Conclusion GH therapy is frequently prescribed for patients with SS, irrespective of the GH stimulation test result. However, the group with SS with a result of < 9.9 ng/mL was more likely to receive GH therapy. The question of whether a GH stimulation test is required, in the context of SS, is debatable.