CONTEXT: Pediatric management of patients with Turner syndrome focuses on height, frequently resulting in a delay of pubertal induction. The influence of pubertal management on psychosocial adjustment and sex life has not been evaluated in Turner syndrome patients. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to identify the determinants of self-esteem, social adjustment, and initiation of sex life in patients with Turner syndrome, particularly those related to pubertal management. DESIGN: This was a prospective evaluation, the StaTur study. SETTING: The study was conducted with a population-based registry of GH-treated patients. PARTICIPANTS: Participants included 566 young adult women with Turner syndrome, aged 22.6 +/- 2.6 yr (range, 18.3-31.2). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measures used in the study were Coopersmith's Self-Esteem Inventory, Social Adjustment Scale Self-Report, questions on sexual experience, and extensive data on pediatric management. RESULTS: Low self-esteem was associated with otological involvement and limited sexual experience. Low social adjustment was associated with lower paternal socioeconomic class and an absence of sexual experience. Late age at first kiss or date was associated with cardiac involvement and a lack of spontaneous pubertal development. Age at first sexual intercourse was related to age at puberty and paternal socioeconomic class. Delayed induction of puberty had a long-lasting effect on sex life. Height and height gain due to GH treatment had no effect on outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Puberty should be induced at a physiologically appropriate age in patients with Turner syndrome to optimize self-esteem, social adjustment, and initiation of the patient's sex life. Therapeutic interventions altering normal pubertal development in other groups of patients should be reconsidered in light of these findings.
CONTEXT: Pediatric management of patients with Turner syndrome focuses on height, frequently resulting in a delay of pubertal induction. The influence of pubertal management on psychosocial adjustment and sex life has not been evaluated in Turner syndromepatients. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to identify the determinants of self-esteem, social adjustment, and initiation of sex life in patients with Turner syndrome, particularly those related to pubertal management. DESIGN: This was a prospective evaluation, the StaTur study. SETTING: The study was conducted with a population-based registry of GH-treated patients. PARTICIPANTS: Participants included 566 young adult women with Turner syndrome, aged 22.6 +/- 2.6 yr (range, 18.3-31.2). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measures used in the study were Coopersmith's Self-Esteem Inventory, Social Adjustment Scale Self-Report, questions on sexual experience, and extensive data on pediatric management. RESULTS: Low self-esteem was associated with otological involvement and limited sexual experience. Low social adjustment was associated with lower paternal socioeconomic class and an absence of sexual experience. Late age at first kiss or date was associated with cardiac involvement and a lack of spontaneous pubertal development. Age at first sexual intercourse was related to age at puberty and paternal socioeconomic class. Delayed induction of puberty had a long-lasting effect on sex life. Height and height gain due to GH treatment had no effect on outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Puberty should be induced at a physiologically appropriate age in patients with Turner syndrome to optimize self-esteem, social adjustment, and initiation of the patient's sex life. Therapeutic interventions altering normal pubertal development in other groups of patients should be reconsidered in light of these findings.
Authors: Carolina Trombeta Reis; Maíra Seabra de Assumpção; Gil Guerra-Junior; Sofia Helena Valente de Lemos-Marini Journal: Qual Life Res Date: 2018-02-09 Impact factor: 4.147
Authors: Judith L Ross; Charmian A Quigley; Dachuang Cao; Penelope Feuillan; Karen Kowal; John J Chipman; Gordon B Cutler Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2011-03-31 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: Jessica Dunbar; Jeanelle Sheeder; Dennis Lezotte; Dana Dabelea; Catherine Stevens-Simon Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2008-08-13 Impact factor: 9.308