ESPE Abstracts

Pediatric growth hormone deficiency (pGHD) is a rare disorder characterized by inadequate growth hormone secretion. Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) is the current standard of care; however, daily injections may represent a burden to patients and caregivers, affecting patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study evaluated the HRQoL of Greek patients receiving daily rhGH, and the burden of patients and caregivers. This cross-sectional study enrolled...

The Easypod™ Connect Observational Study (ECOS) was the first global study of easypod™, currently the only electronic injection device for recombinant human growth hormone (r-hGH; Saizen®). ECOS reported accurate and robust real-time adherence data in a large cohort of patients. In this analysis, we assess the adherence of r-hGH administered via easypod™ in a cohort of Greek patients from ECOS (EMR200104-520, NCT01363674). Patients aged 2–18...

Background: Primary generalized glucocorticoid resistance (PGGR) is a rare, familial or sporadic condition, characterized by generalized, partial tissue insensitivity to glucocorticoids. The molecular basis of this condition has been ascribed to mutations in the NR3C1 (human glucocorticoid receptor, hGR) gene, which impair the molecular mechanisms of hGR action and decrease tissue sensitivity to glucocorticoids. However, a considerable number of patients with PGGR do ...

Background: A significant component of total linear growth is height gain achieved after the initiation of puberty. Children with Isolated GH Deficiency (IGHD) frequently come for evaluation around the peripubertal stage. Therefore, increasing pubertal height gain in IGHD children entering puberty with a relatively low height is important. Researchers have tried to assess effectiveness of treatment in such patients based on various key measurements and a variety of end-points....

Background: The natural evolution of euthyroid Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) varies among children and treatment in children with HT and normal/mild elevated serum TSH is controversial.Objective and hypotheses: The aim was to study the natural course of HT in children and evaluate predictive factors of thyroid functionMethod: We evaluated data from 87 children retrospectively (63 girls, 24 boys), mean age 10.6±3.2yrs, with HT [an...

Background: Primary generalized glucocorticoid resistance (PGGR) or Chrousos syndrome is a rare familial or sporadic condition caused by mutations in the hGR gene, which reduce tissue sensitivity to glucocorticoids. A new case of PGGR caused by a novel heterozygous point mutation in the hGR gene, which resulted in threonine (T) to isoleucine (I) substitution at amino acid position 556 in the ligand-binding domain of the receptor, was recently reported in a patient with an adre...

Background: C-peptide, an indicator of own insulin production, is usually very low in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D).Objective and hypotheses: The aim of the study was to evaluate C-peptide levels in children and adolescents and young adults with T1D and to correlate them with glycemic control.Method: Fasting C-peptide levels were measured with RIA, in 118 children, adolescents and young adults (60 females, mean age 13.3 <smal...

Background: There is a clear need for improved patient-centric approaches in the treatment of chronic conditions, including paediatric growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Greater understanding of the patient’s treatment journey has the potential to inform clinical decisions and to improve clinical- and patient-reported outcomes. Connected Health (CH) combines state-of-the-art technologies, tools, methodologies and analytics to create new patient-centric hea...

Background: Glucocorticoids exert profound immune-modulating effects and regulate the expression of genes involved in cell cycle progression and apoptosis. Synthetic glucocorticoids are the most potent agents used in the treatment of inflammatory, autoimmune and lymphoproliferative disorders. Considerable variation in response to therapeutic doses of glucocorticoids exists among individuals, as evidenced by differences both in disease response and in the incidence of glucocort...

Background: Since the initiation of neonatal screening-programs for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in the 1970’s, an increase in the incidence of CH has been observed. This change has been attributed to the gradual use of lower TSH cut-offs that lead to the detection of milder cases of CH. Based on currently used screening cut-offs, CH occurs in approximately 1:2 000 to 1:4 000 newborns, varying by geographic location and ethnicity. A female predominance, approaching a 2:...