Growth hormone treatment and the risk of adolescent scoliosis: A large matched cohort study

Abstract

Aim: We aimed to evaluate the risk of developing adolescent scoliosis among recipients of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH).

Methods: This registry-based cohort study included 1314 individuals who initiated rhGH treatment since 2013, treated during 10-18 years of age for at least 6 months. This group was matched to a comparison group of 6570 individuals not treated with rhGH. Demographic and clinical information was extracted from the electronic database. The results are presented using hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results: During a median follow-up of 4.2 years, 59 (4.5%) rhGH recipients and 141 individuals (2.1%) from the comparison group were diagnosed with adolescent scoliosis. The age at diagnosis did not differ between the groups (14.7 versus 14.3 years, p = 0.095). Patients treated with rhGH were more likely diagnosed with scoliosis (HR 2.12, 95% CI 1.55-2.88, p < 0.001). Among males, the risk was about three times greater in the treated versus the comparison group (HR 3.15, 95% CI 2.12-4.68, p < 0.001), while in females the risk was not increased (HR 1.12, 95% CI 0.72-2.04, p = 0.469).

Conclusions: Recombinant human growth hormone treatment was associated with an increased risk to be diagnosed with adolescent scoliosis in males. Scoliosis development should be monitored appropriately in rhGH recipients.

Keywords: adolescents; recombinant human growth hormone; scoliosis; side effects.