Abstract |
Turner syndrome (TS) is the result of (partial) absence of one X-chromosome. Besides short stature, gonadal dysgenesis and other physical aspects, TS women have typical psychological features. Since psychological effects of androgen exposure in childhood probably are long-lasting, we explored long-term psychological functioning after oxandrolone (Ox) therapy during childhood in adults with TS in terms of neurocognition, quality of life and social-emotional functioning. During the initial study, girls were treated with growth hormone (GH) combined with placebo (Pl), Ox 0.03 mg/kg/day, or Ox 0.06 mg/kg/day from the age of eight, and estrogen from the age of twelve. Sixty-eight women participated in the current double-blinded follow-up study (mean age 24.0 years, mean time since stopping GH/Ox 8.7 years). We found no effects on neurocognition. Concerning quality of life women treated with Ox had higher anxiety levels (STAI 37.4 ± 8.4 vs 31.8 ± 5.0, p=0.002) and higher scores on the depression subscale of the SCL-90-R (25.7 ± 10.7 vs 20.5 ± 4.7, p=0.01). Regarding social-emotional functioning, emotion perception for fearful faces was lower in the Ox-treated patients, without effect on interpersonal behavior. Our exploratory study is the first to suggest that androgen treatment in adolescence possibly has long-term effects on adult quality of life and social-emotional functioning. However, differences are small and clinical implications of our results seem limited. Therefore we would not recommend against the use of Ox in light of psychological consequences.
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Authors | K Freriks, C M Verhaak, T C J Sas, L A Menke, J M Wit, B J Otten, S M P F de Muinck Keizer-Schrama, D F C M Smeets, R T Netea-Maier, A R M M Hermus, R P C Kessels, H J L M Timmers |
Journal | Hormones and behavior
(Horm Behav)
Vol. 69
Pg. 59-67
(Mar 2015)
ISSN: 1095-6867 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 25562712
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Copyright | Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. |
Chemical References |
- Androgens
- Estrogens
- Human Growth Hormone
- Oxandrolone
- Growth Hormone
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Androgens
(administration & dosage)
- Cognition
(drug effects)
- Depression
(drug therapy, psychology)
- Emotional Intelligence
(drug effects)
- Emotions
(drug effects)
- Estrogens
(administration & dosage)
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Growth Hormone
(therapeutic use)
- Human Growth Hormone
(administration & dosage)
- Humans
- Oxandrolone
(administration & dosage, pharmacology)
- Quality of Life
(psychology)
- Time Factors
- Turner Syndrome
(drug therapy, psychology)
- Young Adult
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