Psychosocial functioning, self-perception and body image and their auxologic correlates in growth hormone and oestrogen-treated young adult women with Turner syndrome.
BACKGROUND
Few data are available on the psychosocial status of growth hormone (GH) and oestrogen treated women with Turner syndrome (TS). In this study, we evaluated psychosocial functioning, self-concept and body image in GH and oestrogen treated young adult women with TS and we studied the relationship with auxological parameters.


METHODS
Thirty women with TS (mean +/- SD age: 22.1 +/- 2.4 years), all treated with GH and oestrogens if indicated, and an age-matched reference group of 44 non-Turner female students (age: 20.5 +/- 2.1 years) completed 3 questionnaires evaluating, respectively, behavioural and emotional problems (Young Adult Self Report), self-concept (Self Perception Profile for College Students) and body-image (Body Attitude Scale).


RESULTS
TS patients did not report more behavioural and emotional problems compared to the non-TS females except for attention problems; they even reported fewer problems on some subscales (somatic complaints, thought problems, delinquent behaviour). TS patients did not differ from the non-TS female group in their bodily satisfaction. TS patients, particularly patients with a 45,X karyotype, perceived themselves as less socially competent. BMI was significantly related to the appraisal score of the Body Attitude Scale, whereas height was not related to any of the evaluated psychosocial parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
The psychosocial adaptation of young adult women with TS, diagnosed at an early age and treated during childhood with GH and oestrogens if indicated, appears to be quite satisfactory. Follow-up of adult TS patients should not neglect the problem of overweight and associated psychosocial consequences.
Lagrou
Katrien
K
Belgian Study Group of Paediatric Endocrinology (BSGPE), Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, University of Gent, Belgium.
Froidecoeur
Christelle
C
Verlinde
Francisca
F
Craen
Margaretha
M
De Schepper
Jean
J
François
Inge
I
Massa
Guy
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001827:Body Height; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D004967:Estrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D012649:Self Concept; D012919:Social Behavior; D014424:Turner Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*
D004967:Estrogens; D019382:Human Growth Hormone