ESPE Abstracts

Background: GH deficiency (GHD) is classically defined on the basis of a cut-off applied to the peak GH level during stimulation tests; a process with recognised limitations. Identifying the functional role of genes whose expression is associated with pGH may help with our understanding and classification of GHD.Objective and hypotheses: Identify patterns of gene expression (GE) related to pGH and to describe the function, and regulation of these genes.<...

Background: Prediction of response to recombinant GH (r-GH) is currently based on regression modelling. This approach generates a prediction equation which can be applied to data from an individual child. However this method can underestimate the effect of inter-dependent variables. Random forest classification (RFC) is an alternative prediction method based on decision trees that is not sensitive to the relationships between variables.Objective and hypo...

Background: The Easypod Connect Observational Study (ECOS) observational study follows children with GHD, SGA and Turner syndrome receiving r-hGH therapy for up to 5 years, with interim analyses each year. The easypod electromechanical auto-injector device enables accurate, real-world digital records of patients’ adherence to rhGH to be collected for evaluation.Objective and hypotheses: The primary objective of ECOS is to evaluate the level of adher...

Background: For early identification of patients requiring adherence support, objective, real-time adherence data are needed. The easypod™ electromechanical injection device, in combination with the easypod™ connect ecosystem, electronically records and transmits, in real time, accurate records of the date, time and dose injected for patients receiving recombinant human growth hormone (r-hGH) to treat growth disorders. Healthcare professionals can us...

Background: Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is an inborn disease with an incidence rate of 1 case per 3,600 newborns of which 15-20% cases are associated with thyroid dyshormonogenesis. The TPO gene encodes thyroid peroxidase. Disease associated with this gene is usually transmitted in an autosomal recessive mode. Hypothyroidism-associated TPO variants are usually biallelic, limited evidence for cases in patients with heterozygous variants exists.Method...

Background: Over the last decade, and in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a substantial increase in the use of digital health tools to track growth and manage growth disorders in children. Paediatric endocrinologists acknowledge the usefulness of these tools in clinical decision making but lack confidence and skills to use them. Atique et al. designed a Massive Open Online Learning Course (MOOC) to increase digital health literacy, and identified...

Background: Monitoring adherence to growth hormone (GH) treatment is important, because poor adherence can lead to suboptimal clinical outcomes. The easypod™ electromechanical injection device in combination with the web-based easypod™ connect platform electronically records and transmits accurate, objective records of the date, time and dose injected of patients receiving GH with growth disorders, allowing physicians to accurately monitor patients&#...

Background: Poor adherence to recombinant human growth hormone (r-hGH) treatment presents a significant barrier to achieving optimal growth outcomes. It is important to identify and address the treatment adherence-related needs of children prescribed r-hGH, and develop new approaches to improve adherence. In this study, we aimed to measure the impact of the TuiTek patient support programme, a multi-component personalised service intervention, on caregivers&#14...

Background: Treatment of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) requires daily injections over many years. Connected digital health devices can facilitate GH treatment by automating the injection process, which reduces anxiety, and collecting injection data in real-time so that accurate adherence information is available to healthcare professionals (HCPs). In developing new digital health solutions, HCP perspectives should be considered.<strong...

Background: Digital health solutions, such as the Growzen™ buddy smartphone application (app), can facilitate adherence to recombinant human growth hormone (r-hGH) treatment for patients with growth disorders. The app alerts patients when it’s time for an injection and allows patients and their caregivers to self-monitor growth, to build a routine and improve adherence. The app also contains educational resources to empower patients to be active in...