Psychological well-being in women with Turner syndrome: Somatic and social correlates

Abstract

Our aim was to examine possible somatic and social correlates to psychological well-being in adult women with Turner Syndrome (TS), including hormone replacement treatment. Sixty-three women with a diagnosis of TS (mean age, 31.5 years) participated in a cross-sectional study, using interview data, ratings on the Psychological General Well-being (PGWB) Index, and data from medical examinations and medical records. Statistical analysis was performed by bivariate and multivariate analyses. Lack of sex hormones during adult life and the presence of hearing impairment were related to lower psychological well-being, as were higher age at diagnosis, higher age at menarche or induced bleeding, higher chronological age and retrospectively reported difficulties with school subjects. Age at diagnosis and difficulties with school subjects explained 25% of the variation in psychological well-being. This study has identified some correlates to psychological well-being in women with TS, which are important when considering the clinical management of adult women with TS.