Multidisciplinary approach needed for patients with mild TBI-related GHD
A recent panel of pediatric and adult endocrinologists, neurologists, physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists, and neuropsychologists determined that a multidisciplinary approach was needed to educate providers and develop guidelines for the early identification and management of persistent mild traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)-related growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Their recommendations included multidisciplinary guidelines on the diagnosis and management of post-TBI in addition to educating providers on the benefits of GH replacement therapy.
Nearly 3 million people in the United States experience TBI per year. Traumatic brain injuries can disrupt pituitary function resulting in growth hormone deficiency.
Challenges facing these providers include
-Many patients do not seek medical attention
-Poor screening told
-Cost/complexity of testing for GHD
-No consensus on when to test/retest for GHD
-Not enough referrals to endocrinologists
Reference
Yuen KCJ, Masel B, Jaffee MS, et al. A consensus on optimization of care in patients with growth hormone deficiency and mild traumatic brain injury. Growth Horm IGF Res. 2022 Jul 25;66:101495. doi: 10.1016/j.ghir.2022.101495. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35933894.