Affiliations: Institut und Poliklinik für Medizinische
Psychologie, Zentrum für Psychosoziale Medizin, Universitätsklinikum
Hamburg-Eppendorf , Martinistraße 52, Haus W 26, Hamburg. Tel.: +49 40
7410 52789; Fax: +49 40 7410 54940; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Three percent of children and adolescents in Germany have short
stature (SS) which also includes patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD)
and idiopathic short stature (ISS). Growth hormone substitution in these
patients is expected to increase height, health-related quality of life (HrQoL)
and mental health. The present cross-sectional study investigated healthrelated
quality of life and mental health of children with SS in comparison to a
representative German population sample and examined differences within
patients with respect to treatment status, diagnosis and actual height. A total
of 143 patients (4–18 years) and their parents completed questionnaires
for mental health (SDQ) and health-related quality of life (KIDSCREEN-52).
Results showed that children and adolescents with short stature report
significant HrQoL impairments in comparison to children with normal height,
while differences in mental health were apparent at specific subscale levels.
Within the clinical sample, no differences regarding age and gender were
detected. Also, no significant differences in HrQoL and mental health were
found according to diagnosis (GHD/ISS), treatment status and actual height.
Parents rated their childrens' HrQoL higher than the children
themselves, whereas they considered their children' psychological
health problems more serious than the children themselves did. Results suggest
that SS is associated with impairments in HrQol and mental health as compared
to a population reference group, suggesting that these impairments should be
addressed with condition-specific interventions. Generic tools such as
KIDSCREEN did not yield differences within the patient group regarding clinical
and socio-demographic characteristics. Clinical studies therefore should
consider making use of condition specific measures.
Keywords: Short stature, growth hormone deficiency, idiopathic short stature, quality of life, children
