English conference proceeding
- Bannink, E. M. N., van-Pareren, Y. K., Raat, H., Theunissen, N. C. M., Mulder, P. G. M., & Hokken-Koelega, A. C. S. (2004). Improvement of Quality of Life in Adolescents Born Small for Gestational Age (SGA). Hormone Research 2004;62(Suppl.2):140-198. (DOI:10.1159/000081147)
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Abstract
We evaluated whether long-term growth hormone therapy (GHRx) in children
born SGA, which results in a normal childhood and adult height, is accompanied
by a better quality of life (QoL). Two groups of adolescents born SGA were
analysed and compared with references.
METHODS: A generic child health questionnaire (CHQ) and a
condition specific questionnaire, the TNO-AZL Childrens QoL-Short Stature(TACQOL-S).
RESULTS: CHQ: GH-group had better effect sizes [(mean GH-mean
ref.)/highest SD] on 'social-behavior', 'behavior', 'mental health' and 'self
esteem' compared to references, however without reaching significant differences.
The U-group showed on all the scales of the CHQ lower effect sizes than the
GH-group and the references. There were no sign. differences between the GH
and the U-group. TACQOL-S: Effect size=[(mean GH-mean U)/highest SD]. Fig.
shows effect sizes of the differences between the GH-group and the U-group,
indicating that the QoL in the GH-group was better on all scales with a moderate
to large effect. Health status: quantity of problems (HS); Health related
Qo: emotional impact of the problems (HRQOL). Effect size is small if <0.5;
moderate if 0.5-0.8 and large if =0.8. Difference GH compared to U-group:
*p<0.05, **p<0.01.
CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that children born SGA, treated
with long-term GHRx, show significantly better QoL in physical abilities and
contact with adults than untreated children born SGA, when measured with the
condition specific TACQOL-S. In addition the GH-group shows also better QoL
on all other scales of the specific TACQoL-S compared to U-group, and had
better effect sizes than the U-group on all scales of the generic CHQ when
compared to references, however without reaching significance. Our study indicates
that evaluation of QoL in short children and the effect of GHRx on QoL should
be performed with a condition specific questionnaire.
Keywords
Quality of Life, Small Stature, SGA, Small for Gastational Age, Children, Growth Hormone Therapy, Height, Child, Questionnaire, Social Behavior, Mental Health, TACQOL, Health Status, Self Esteem