Endocrine Abstracts

Though results of scientific studies are rather controversial, it is known that adults with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and Turner syndrome (TS) experience disturbances in psychological well-being and quality of life. Results of our previous studies confirm that quality of life and emotional state are worse in adult patients with adult-onset, childhood-onset GHD and TS than in age- and sex-matched controls.

Aim: The aim of the study was to compare quality of life and emotional state of adult patients with adult-onset GHD, childhood-onset GHD and TS after discontinuation of GH treatment.

Subjects and methods: Eighteen patients with adult-onset GHD (age 27.8±5.3 years), 40 patients with childhood-onset GHD (age 24.0±6.9 years) and 18 patients with TS (age 21.5±4.1 years) after discontinuation of GH treatment. Quality of life was evaluated by adult growth hormone deficient quality of life questionnaire, emotional state – by profile of mood states.

Results: Comparing quality of life in the researched groups of patients we did not find significant differences. Global score of emotional state differed significantly between patients with adult-onset GHD and TS (18.3±27.3 vs 36.3±38.2, P=0.0109) and between childhood-onset GHd and TS patients (12.4±0.4 vs 36.3±38.2, P=0.0072). No significant differences in emotional state were detected between adult-onset GHD patients and childhood-onset GHD patients.

In conclusion: Emotional state, but not quality of life is worse in adult patients with Turner syndrome than in adult-onset and childhood-onset growth hormone deficient patients after discontinuation of growth hormone treatment.