Assessment of Parental Satisfaction with the Treatment of Human Recombinant Growth Hormone in Children with Hypopituitarism

Abstract

Introduction. Growth depends on genetic, metabolic and also hormonal factors. Growth depends on health, the supply of nutrients and a properly functioning nervous system. Growth hormone deficiency is a disorder that does not cause typical somatic symptoms, but has a negative impact on a child’s life and functioning in society.
Aim. The aim of the study was to evaluate the satisfaction of parents with the treatment with human recombinant growth hormone in children with somatropin-induced pituitary insufficiency.
Material and Methods. The studies were conducted among parents of children with somatropin-induced pituitary insufficiency treated with human recombinant growth hormone in the Provincial Complex Hospital of Rydygier in Toruń at the Department of Paediatrics, Endocrinology, Diabetology and Paediatric Neurology, from 1.12.2019 to 1.02.2020. 69 parents of children treated with recombinant growth hormone were included in the study. The mean age of parents of children participating in the study was 11.77 ± 3.53 years. The research tools were: a record, self-questionnaires and the standardized KIDSCREEN-52 health questionnaire for children and adolescents in the version for parents.
Results. The highest mean values of the standardized KIDSCREEN-52 scale in the version for parents were shown for the following areas: moods and emotions (84.55 ± 12.73), relationships with parents and home (81.83 ± 10.88) and social acceptance (89.86 ± 12.86). It was found that the higher the quality of the area of physical well-being and health, the lower the need for mental preparation of the child for hospital visits in connection with treatment — rS = 0.254, p = 0.035. The analyses showed that the higher the quality of the area of social support and colleagues, the smaller the difficulty resulting from the treatment-related visits to the hospital ward — rS = 0.266, p = 0.027, there was also a lower need to mentally prepare the child for hospital visits — rS = 0.261, p = 0.030.
Conclusions. Satisfaction with treatment with recombinant growth hormone depends on the duration of treatment and the growth results achieved. Parents of children with hypopituitarism are satisfied with the treatment with recombinant growth hormone and assess the treatment positively. (JNNN 2021;10(3):120–125)