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

Abstract

AbstractAimWe aimed to evaluate the risk of developing adolescent scoliosis among recipients of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH).MethodsThis 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).ResultsDuring 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).ConclusionsRecombinant 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.