THE QUALITY-OF-LIFE OF TURNER WOMEN IN COMPARISON WITH GROWN-UP GH-DEFICIENT WOMEN

Various aspects of the way of life in 20 adult patients (mean age: 25.7+/-6.0) with Turner syndrome were studied for their quality of life (QOL). The study found that many more Turner women went on to university (P<0.01) than the general population, whereas GH-deficient women did not. The employment status of both Turner and GH-deficient women does not differ from that of the general population. Only 7 of the 12 Turner and 5 of the 15 GH-deficient employees are satisfied with their present jobs, but 10 of the former and 7 of the latter women think that their jobs are worthwhile. The total annual income of 3 of 19 Turner women exceeded 3 million yen, but not that of any of 10 GH-deficient women who answered the question on their income. Half of the Turner and GH-deficient women complained of shoulder stiffness and one fourth of the Turner and one fifth of the GH-deficient women have a sense of despair and irritability. Seven Turner and 9 GH-deficient women have anxiety about their body, and 6 of the former and 8 of the latter have anxiety about marriage. Only 4 Turner and 3 GH-deficient women are married. Three of the former marriages were arranged by their parents, but all 3 GH-deficient women got married after falling in love. These marriage rates are significantly lower (P<0.005) than that of the age-matched general population. Most of the unmarried women in both groups live with their parents, and half of the Turner and one third of the GH-deficient women have difficulty in getting clothes and shoes to fit them. Otherwise, they have no particular problem in their daily life. In conclusion, Turner women are well educated and work as normal women, but they, as well as GH-deficient women, appear to be anxious about their body and marriage.