Elena Bennecke1, Ute Thyen2, Annette Grüters1, Anke Lux3, Birgit Köhler1. 1. Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Department of Paediatrics, Charité, University Medicine, Berlin, Germany. 2. Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany. 3. Institute for Biometrics and Medical Informatics, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Rare congenital conditions with incongruence of chromosomal, gonadal and phenotypic sex have been classified as differences/disorders of sex development (DSD). Included in DSD are conditions with diverse genetic aetiology, varying levels of prenatal androgen effects, phenotypes and, subsequently, different medical treatments. Quality of life (QoL) and psychological well-being are indicators of successful psychosocial adaptation to the conditions. We sought to investigate the HRQoL and psychological well-being in this population. DESIGN: This multicentre clinical evaluation study was part of a German network related to DSD funded by the German Ministry of Science and Education (BMBF 2003 to 2007). METHODS: To assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL), we used the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and for psychological well-being, the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). Participants were classified into five groups: females with CAH, females with XY DSD conditions where there is a partial androgen effect (partial androgen insensitivity, mixed/partial gonadal dysgenesis, disorders of androgen biosynthesis), females with XY DSD without androgen effect (complete androgen insensitivity, complete gonadal dysgenesis), males with XY DSD, and individuals with DSD conditions and other gender. RESULTS: Participants included 110 adults with DSD (age range 17-62). We found a trend of lowered mental HRQoL and significant higher physical HRQoL for participants as compared to the norm. The high physical HRQoL especially applied to females with androgen effect and XY karyotype. Participants reported significant higher psychological distress compared to the norm. Forty-seven participants (42·7%) reported distress in a clinically relevant range on the BSI. CONCLUSIONS: Although we did not find significant impairments in overall HRQoL, participants reported significant impaired psychological well-being. Specialized interdisciplinary care should focus in particular on psychological issues to ensure good overall health and well-being.
OBJECTIVE: Rare congenital conditions with incongruence of chromosomal, gonadal and phenotypic sex have been classified as differences/disorders of sex development (DSD). Included in DSD are conditions with diverse genetic aetiology, varying levels of prenatal androgen effects, phenotypes and, subsequently, different medical treatments. Quality of life (QoL) and psychological well-being are indicators of successful psychosocial adaptation to the conditions. We sought to investigate the HRQoL and psychological well-being in this population. DESIGN: This multicentre clinical evaluation study was part of a German network related to DSD funded by the German Ministry of Science and Education (BMBF 2003 to 2007). METHODS: To assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL), we used the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and for psychological well-being, the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). Participants were classified into five groups: females with CAH, females with XY DSD conditions where there is a partial androgen effect (partial androgen insensitivity, mixed/partial gonadal dysgenesis, disorders of androgen biosynthesis), females with XY DSD without androgen effect (complete androgen insensitivity, complete gonadal dysgenesis), males with XY DSD, and individuals with DSD conditions and other gender. RESULTS:Participants included 110 adults with DSD (age range 17-62). We found a trend of lowered mental HRQoL and significant higher physical HRQoL for participants as compared to the norm. The high physical HRQoL especially applied to females with androgen effect and XY karyotype. Participants reported significant higher psychological distress compared to the norm. Forty-seven participants (42·7%) reported distress in a clinically relevant range on the BSI. CONCLUSIONS: Although we did not find significant impairments in overall HRQoL, participants reported significant impaired psychological well-being. Specialized interdisciplinary care should focus in particular on psychological issues to ensure good overall health and well-being.
Authors: Annelou L C de Vries; Robert Roehle; Louise Marshall; Louise Frisén; Tim C van de Grift; Baudewijntje P C Kreukels; Claire Bouvattier; Birgit Köhler; Ute Thyen; Anna Nordenström; Marion Rapp; Peggy T Cohen-Kettenis Journal: Psychosom Med Date: 2019-09 Impact factor: 4.312
Authors: Marion Rapp; Esther Mueller-Godeffroy; Peter Lee; Robert Roehle; Baudewijntje P C Kreukels; Birgit Köhler; Anna Nordenström; Claire Bouvattier; Ute Thyen Journal: Health Qual Life Outcomes Date: 2018-04-03 Impact factor: 3.186