SFEBES2026 Poster Presentations Reproductive Endocrinology (14 abstracts)
Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Oxford, United Kingdom
Background: Patients with TS are more likely to experience poorer social and emotional well-being and mental health problems. Clinical practice guidelines for Turner Syndrome (2024) recommend psychological screening and evidence-based interventions to improve well-being and mental health. The well-established TS service at Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism has no provision for psychological support. Our project aimed to assess psychological needs in the TS cohort.
Method: A questionnaire using validated measures of mental and health well-being was approved by the quality improvement team and offered to patients attending clinic.
Results: The survey was completed by 52 patients with TS. 75% (38/52) reported that TS had negatively affected their mental health; 23% (12/52) had been referred to mental health services, and 15% (8/52) had been diagnosed with a mental health problem. Causes of psychological distress included fertility and low self-esteem. Unmet psychological needs were reported in 15% (8/51); anxiety, low mood and isolation were commonly reported. On a measure of anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score) 44% (22/50) reported symptoms in the mild to severe range. On a measure of social functioning, (Work and Social Adjustment Scale Score) 30% (15/51) reported a moderate or severe level of impairment. The Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire assessed body image concerns. This showed lower mean scores than reference populations in the areas of appearance evaluation (2.51), appearance orientation (3.28) and body areas satisfaction (2.76). Overall health was assessed with the 5Q-5D visual analogue scale, a score of <80 was present in 48% (24/51) compared to 32% in a UK reference population. Interest in attending a psychology clinic was 25% (13/52), 30% of patients (21/52) were unsure.
Conclusion: In this cohort of patients with TS, mental health problems were common. This project supports the development of psychological services for patients consistent with international guidelines.