Effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist monotherapy and combination therapy with growth hormone on final adult height in girls with central precocious puberty

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to compare clinical parameters, including final adult height (FAH), in girls with central precocious puberty treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) with and without growth hormone (GH).Methods: This retrospective study reviewed data of 210 girls with precocious puberty who had reached FAH in a long-term trial of GnRHa treatment. The subjects were divided into the GnRHa treatment group (n=188), and the combined GnRHa+GH treatment group (n=22). Chronological age, bone age, height, height standard deviation score (SDS), predicted adult height (PAH), FAH, Tanner stage, and hormone levels were assessed during the treatment period. Results: At the start of treatment, PAH was 156.35 ± 6.34 cm in the GnRHa monotherapy group and 150.41 ± 5.32 cm in the GnRHa+GH group (P<0.001). At the end of treatment, PAH was 166.25 ± 5.26 cm in the GnRHa group and 164.07 ± 4.99 cm in the combined GnRHa+GH treatment group, which had increased compared to the start of treatment. The FAH in the GnRHa group and GnRHa+GH combination group were 161.07 ± 4.78 cm and 159.63 ± 3.8 6 cm, respectively, without significant difference. In addition, the height gain (FAH−PAH) was significantly higher in the GnRHa+GH group than the GnRHa group (9.22 ± 6.03 cm vs. 4.72 ± 5.01 cm, P<0.001). Conclusion: In girls with central precocious puberty, the height gain in the FAH compared to PAH at the start of treatment was significantly higher with the GnRHa+GH combination treatment.