[Management of adolescents with childhood onset growth hormone deficiency in the transition--results of a field based study in Germany].

BACKGROUND

Discontinuation of growth hormone (GH) treatment upon attainment of final height has been associated with impaired somatic development and altered body composition. Therefore, optimal care of patients with GH deficiency (GHD) in the transition phase from adolescence to adulthood is a challenge for all parties involved. We analyzed the current clinical practice in Germany.

METHODS

In 2008, 124 endocrinologists (69 pediatric, 55 adult endocrinologists) in Germany were interviewed using a structured questionnaire.

RESULTS

Overall, 67 % of pediatric endocrinologists (PE) and adult endocrinologists (AE) declared to have a contact physician for their patients. 13 endocrinologists declared to have a common transition clinic with their corresponding colleague. 74 % of PE stated to transfer their patients after the end of GH therapy to an AE. 62 % of the patients were transferred at the age of 18 years. 70 % of the PE stated to retest their patients themselves, while 70 % of the AE answered that the patients had not been retested when they first came to the adult clinic. For the evaluation of GH-secretion, PE most frequently used the arginine (86 %), ITT (35 %) and clonidine test (33 %), whereas AE utilized the GHRH/arginine test (71 %), and the ITT (67 %). The level of patient's information about his disease status was considered as "good" by 44 % of AE (77 % by AE having established a transition clinic). The quality of patient files transferred from the PE was considered as "good" by 54 % of all AE (100 % by AE with transition clinic).

CONCLUSION

To a significant extent, there is an inconsistence in diagnostic methods and treatment modalities performed by PE and AE compared to recently published consensus guidelines. Only 13 PE interviewed in this study transfer their GHD patients in a transition clinic setting. Communication and transfer of information between both groups appears to be impaired in centres without a transition clinic. In those clinics having established transition clinics, patient's status of information and quality of patient files is considered to be much better.