Consensus and Discordance in the Management of Growth Hormone-Treated Patients: Results of a Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, and Practices Survey

Abstract

Our purpose was to determine pediatric endocrinologists' knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices (KABPs) regarding recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) treatment, examine care-related attitude consensus or discordance, and identify evidence-based practice gaps. We developed a survey for National Cooperative Growth Study (NCGS) investigators (N = 711) to elicit their KABPs regarding GH stimulation testing as a diagnostic tool, IGF-1 monitoring for safety and dosing guidance, and pubertal dosing. Responses were compared with NCGS data from the last 20 years. Comparison between survey responses and NCGS data revealed potential discrepancies between expressed opinions and actual practice. In conclusion, this KABP survey, combined with NCGS data, suggests changes over time in diagnostic and rhGH-related therapeutic practices. Variability and inconsistency exist between the survey responses and practice trends over time as reflected in the NCGS database. Further study is necessary to provide evidence to guide rhGH treatment decisions.