Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Klinefelter’s syndrome (KS) is a genetic condition affecting men with the potential to severely reduce their testosterone levels and affect their physical appearance. Being a syndrome there are a variety of different symptoms, which individuals may experience to a great or lesser extent. While much research has been directed at understanding the cognitive impact of KS much less research has been undertaken considering the psycho-social impact of living with the condition. This research, requested by the Klinefelter’s syndrome association (KSA), addresses this issue.

Method: A questionnaire was sent to the 300 members of the KSA. Items in the questionnaire covered demographic and medical information as well as the physical characteristics of the participants. Standardised questionnaires were included including measures of general anxiety and depression (HADS); social anxiety and avoidance (DAS-24); self-esteem (RSE); and quality of life (WHOQoL-Bref). Sixty two questionnaires were returned from participants aged between 18 and 74 years (mean 43.69).

Results: Comparison of mean scores with normative data suggests that men with KS experience increased general anxiety (9.13±3.86; norm=6.14±3.76), depression (6.45±4.41; norm=3.68±3.07) and social anxiety (47.93±15.47; norm=26.63±11.40). Thirty seven (60%) of the sample population had clinical levels of anxiety, and 21 (34%) had clinical levels of depression (scoring >8 on the HADS). Independent sample t-tests indicated that those who attributed their depression as a symptom of having KS (n=30, 48%) experienced significantly more general and social anxiety (P<0.02 and P<0.04, respectively) and significantly reduced levels of self-esteem (P<0.03) and psychological quality of life (P<0.03) than those who did not.

Conclusion: These data suggest that men with KS can experience reduced psycho-social functioning as a result of the condition. While there is a great deal of variability in the data, it seems clear that there are some individuals with KS who would benefit from some form of psychological support.