A comparison of traditional approaches to hierarchical linear modeling when analyzing longitudinal data.

Longitudinal designs typically involve repeated time-ordered observations for each individual (or unit). Such designs are uniquely suited to studying changes over time within individuals, and relating these to individual characteristics to identify processes and causes of intra- individual changes and interindividual differences in physiologic and psychological development. The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast univariate and multivariate ANOVA with repeated measures to hierarchical linear modeling as approaches to analyzing such longitudinal data.

Behavior change after growth hormone treatment of children with short stature.

Objectives: To measure the prevalence of behavioral and learning problems among children with short stature and to assess the effect of growth hormone (GH) treatment on such problems.

Study Design: A total of 195 children with short stature (age range 5 to 16 years, mean age 11.2 years) were tested for intelligence, academic achievement, social competence, and behavior problems before beginning GH therapy and yearly during 3 years of treatment.

Current dosing of growth hormone in children with growth hormone deficiency: how physiologic?

The current doses of recombinant growth hormone (rGH) are two to three times those used in the pituitary growth hormone era. These rGH doses (0.025 to 0.

The psychological consequences of Turner syndrome and review of the National Cooperative Growth Study psychological substudy.

Objective: To present longitudinal data on the psychological profile of a cohort of girls with and without Turner syndrome (TS) treated for 3 years with growth hormone (GH).

Methods: Among a sample of 283 children with short stature, 37 girls with TS were recruited at 27 US medical centers. Of the original cohort, 22 girls with TS, 13 girls with isolated growth hormone deficiency (GHD), and 12 girls with idiopathic short stature were followed through 3 years of GH therapy.

Quality of life among formerly treated childhood-onset growth hormone-deficient adults: a comparison with unaffected siblings.

Several studies have investigated the quality of life (QOL) of GH-deficient (GHD) adults who, as children, had been treated with GH. Variable findings are probably related to sample heterogeneity and disparate research methodologies and designs, particularly the choice of control or comparison groups. In addition to comparing a relatively large sample to questionnaire norms, the present study is the first to compare the QOL adjustment of GHD patients to that of same sex siblings.

Links between growth hormone deficiency, adaptation and social phobia.

Children referred for growth hormone (GH) treatment have increased school achievement problems, lack appropriate social skills and show several forms of behavior problems. A multicenter study in the United States has revealed that many GH-impaired children exhibit a cluster of behavioral symptoms involving disorders of mood and attention. Anxiety, depression, somatic complaints and attention deficits have been identified.

Academic achievement and psychological adjustment in short children. The National Cooperative Growth Study.

Limited information is available on the educational and behavioral functioning of short children. Through 27 participating medical centers, we administered a battery of psychologic tests to 166 children referred for growth hormone (GH) treatment (5 to 16 years) who were below the third percentile for height (mean height = -2.7 SD).

Psychosexual behavior in hypopituitary men: a controlled comparison of gonadotropin and testosterone replacement.

Nine gonadotropin-deficient hypopituitary men were cycled through periods of treatment with testosterone (T), gonadotropin (Gn), and placebo (Pl) using a blind cross-over design. Self-reports of sexual behavior, recordings of nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT), and sex steroid levels were obtained during each treatment period. Subjects had significantly higher plasma T during the T and Gn treatments than during the control periods.

Pubertal disorders. Psychology and clinical management.

The behavioral data reviewed herein must be viewed with caution. Although there are reports that adhere to rigorous methodology, these are the exception. Most reports do not adequately describe either the methodology used or their sample.

Growth hormone deficiency in children has psychological and educational co-morbidity.

Growth delay caused by growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is a condition presented with increased frequency to pediatricians. Recent evidence suggests these patients should be evaluated developmentally for behavioral and educational problems. Such assessment would assure a comprehensive approach to treatment and increase the likelihood of a satisfactory outcome in young adulthood.

Psychological impact of significantly short stature.

These baseline data confirm that many children with significantly short stature are vulnerable to diverse developmental, social and educational problems, and substantiate the importance of a multidisciplinary treatment approach that includes a comprehensive psychological and medical assessment. The psychological assessment should focus on the early detection of problems in academic achievement and psychosocial development, in order that appropriate educational and counselling interventions can be provided. The paediatrician can also foster a positive relationship with patients and their families to facilitate treatment compliance and improve overall outcome in several ways.

Data on virilization and erotosexual behavior in male hypogonadotropic hypopituitarism during gonadotropin and androgen treatment.

The goal of this investigation was to assess whether or not gonadotropin therapy enhanced the degree of virilization and psychosexual behavior of men with hypogonadotropic hypopituitarism. Pre- and post-gonadotropin assessments of virilization in four men indicated that gonadotropin therapy was associated with dramatic improvements in the degree of virilization that each man previously obtained on androgen only. Retrospective interview data on erotosexual behavior indicated improved erotosexual function on gonadotropin as compared to the prior androgen treatment.