PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Dominique Simon
AU  - Nadine Lucidarme
AU  - Anne-Marie Prieur
AU  - Jean Charles Ruiz
AU  - Paul Czernichow
TI  - Effects on growth and body composition of growth hormone treatment in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis requiring steroid therapy.
DP  - 2003 Nov 01
TA  - The Journal of Rheumatology
PG  - 2492--2499
VI  - 30
IP  - 11
4099  - http://www.jrheum.org/content/30/11/2492.short
4100  - http://www.jrheum.org/content/30/11/2492.full
SO  - J Rheumatol2003 Nov 01; 30
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Decreased growth velocity and abnormal body composition including severe osteoporosis are common in glucocorticoid-treated patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). We evaluated the effects of recombinant human growth hormone (GH) given for 3 years on growth velocity, height standard deviation score (SDS), and body composition, together with potential adverse effects on glucose tolerance. METHODS: Thirteen patients received GH (0.46 mg/kg/week) for 3 years. Body composition was assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and glucose tolerance by annual oral glucose tolerance tests. RESULTS: Median growth velocity increased from 2.1 to 6.0 cm/year (p = 0.002) in the first year and remained higher than baseline in the second year of treatment. Height SDS did not change significantly (-4.6 SDS at baseline vs -4.3 SDS at study completion), but the growth response varied markedly across patients. Compared with baseline, lean mass increased by 33%, fat mass remained stable, and lumbar bone mineral density increased by 36.6%. Transient glucose intolerance developed in 6 patients, but glycosylated hemoglobin concentrations did not change significantly and diabetes mellitus did not occur. CONCLUSION: Treatment with GH restored linear growth without inducing catch-up growth, significantly improved body composition, and prevented further bone loss. Prolonged followup is needed to assess the benefits of GH and longterm consequences of hyperinsulinism.