RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: A poor adherence to r-hGH therapy is associated to a low growth rate in patients with growth deficiency. For this reason, the choice of an objective method, such as an electronic device, for monitoring treatment adherence is very important. This retrospective study evaluated the r-hGH treatment adherence of patients with growth deficiency, monitored through the easypod™ device. METHODS: Data from 90 patients (52 males and 38 females; mean age at the end of the study: 11.9 years ±3.40) enrolled in six Italian centers, was collected from the beginning of the r-hGH therapy until the end of the study through the easypod™ device. The primary endpoint, i.e. treatment adherence, was the ratio between actual days of treatment and planned days of treatment. Secondary endpoints were: relationship between heights measured at the beginning and at the end of the study, the change of the height SDS and the growth rate. RESULTS: Data from easypod™ showed that the mean adherence was 70±13%. The mean age-adjusted growth of the patients was 28.68±13.8 cm during the treatment period of 977 days, and the 6-month growth rate for the planned period was 3.78±8.1 cm. A positive correlation between the adherence rate and the change of the height SDS value was observed (P<0.0006). CONCLUSIONS: The easypod™ device seems to be a valid tool for quickly identifying non-adherence habits, allowing physicians to implement actions focused on reinforcing the importance of treatment both for patients and caregivers.