Physician experience with once-weekly somatrogon versus once-daily rhGH regimen in pediatric patients with growth hormone deficiency: a cross-sectional survey of physicians from the global phase 3 study.

The standard of care for pediatric growth hormone deficiency (pGHD) is once-daily recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH). Somatrogon, a long-acting rhGH, requires less frequent, once-weekly, dosing. We describe physicians' preference for, experiences, and satisfaction with once-weekly somatrogon vs once-daily rhGH. English-speaking investigators from somatrogon's global phase III study (NCT02968004) with prior experience using once-daily rhGH were included. Participants answered an online survey containing 14 closed- and open-ended items. Twenty-four pediatric endocrinologists (41.7% men; 79.2% practiced at public/private hospitals) from 12 countries with 25.8 ± 12.0 years' experience treating pGHD completed the survey. In terms of the time and effort required to explain device instructions, injection regimen, procedure for missed injection, and address patients'/caregivers' concerns, a similar proportion of physicians chose once-weekly somatrogon and once-daily rhGH; 62.5% physicians indicated that once-daily rhGH required greater effort to monitor adherence. Overall, 75% preferred once-weekly somatrogon over once-daily rhGH, 79.2% considered once-weekly somatrogon to be more convenient and less burdensome, and 83.3% were likely to prescribe somatrogon in the future. Overall, 50% felt that once-weekly somatrogon was more beneficial to patients, while 50% chose "No difference". Most physicians (62.5%) felt both regimens were equally likely to support positive long-term growth outcomes and reduce healthcare utilization. More physicians were "very satisfied" with once-weekly somatrogon (62.5%) than with once-daily rhGH (16.7%). Reduced injection frequency, patient and caregiver burden, increased convenience, and improved adherence were reasons for these choices. Physicians had a positive experience with, and perception of, treating pGHD with once-weekly somatrogon.

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Copyright © 2023 Gomez, Lamoureux, Turner-Bowker, Loftus, Maghnie, Miller, Polak and Yaworsky.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Authors RG and JL were employed by the company Pfizer. Authors RL, AY, and DT-B were employed by the company Adelphi Values. MM reports being an advisory board member for BioMarin, Ferring, Merck, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, and Sandoz; receiving consulting fees from BioMarin, Merck, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, and Sandoz; receiving grants from Merck and Pfizer; and being a speaker for Ascendis, BioMarin, Merck, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, and Sandoz. BM reports being an advisory board member for Ascendis, BioMarin, EMD Serono, Endo Pharmaceuticals, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Provention Bio and Tolmar; receiving consulting fees from Ascendis, BioMarin, EMD Serono, Endo Pharmaceuticals, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, and Tolmar; being a research investigator for AbbVie, Aeterna Zentaris, Alexion, Amicus, Lumos, Novo Nordisk, OPKO Health, and Pfizer; and being a speaker for BioMarin, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer and Tolmar. MP reports being an advisory board member for Ipsen, Novo Nordisk, and Pfizer; receiving consulting fees from Ipsen, Novo Nordisk, and Pfizer; being a research investigator for Ipsen, Merck, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Sandoz, and Sanofi; and being a speaker for Ipsen and Novo Nordisk. The authors declare that this study received funding from Pfizer. Pfizer developed the study protocol, study documents, and survey questionnaire in collaboration with Adelphi Values. Medical writing support for this article was funded by Pfizer. The authors had final authority, including on the choice of journal, on all aspects of the manuscript content and development.