ESPE Abstracts

Background: GH deficiency (GHD) occurs in one in 4000–one in 10 000 children, but can also be diagnosed in adults.¹ GHD therapy typically requires injections over a period of years.² Adherence to long-term GHT presents a challenge.

Objective and hypotheses: This study describes the rates of adherence to GHT among patients with GHD.

Method: Members who were continuously enrolled 6 months pre- and 12 months post-initiation of GHT (generic product identifier code, 3010002000) aged <65 years with a diagnosis of GHD during the study period (January 1, 2007–December 31, 2011) were identified from the Humana administrative claims database. Member demographic, clinical and GHT adherence information was described. New and existing users were classified on the presence of a claim for GHT before the index date. Proportion of days covered (PDC) was calculated as the number of days with GHT on hand as identified in the pharmacy claim divided by 365 (i.e. the total number of days in the measurement period). The PDC was calculated overall and stratified by user type and age category. PDC ≥0.8 was considered adherent.

Results: In total, 417 patients were identified. The cohort was, on average, 23.9 years (median 14.7) of age, predominantly male (67.1%) and mainly covered under commercial insurance (85.1%). Overall mean PDC was 0.69 (±0.27) to GHT in the first 12 months after initiation of a GHT. Less than 10% of patients overall were considered nonadherent (PDC <0.2), 46.8% considered adherent and 44.9% considered partially adherent. Children <12 years had higher overall average PDC (0.79±0.28) than children 12–17 years of age (0.69±0.27) and patients >18 (0.60±0.28).

Conclusion: There is room for improvement in adherence, consistent with published data.