This study assessed lifestyle-related risk factors for cardiovascular disease in young women with Turner Syndrome.
METHODS
In 2012, we sent a questionnaire to women with Turner Syndrome aged ≥18 years and living in Switzerland with questions on socio-demographic and medical data as well as health behavior. We compared the reported lifestyle with that of women from the Swiss Health Survey 2012, a representative survey of the general population.
RESULTS
Fifty-seven percent (45/79) of women with Turner Syndrome answered the questionnaire (mean age 24 years). Eighty percent (36/45) had never smoked compared to 58% (1156/1972) of the general population (p<0.01). Women with Turner Syndrome engaged less often in binge drinking (34% vs 71%) (p<0.001), but consumed alcohol equally often as the general population (p=0.327). They performed sports as often as the general population (p=0.34), but only one quarter (11/45) of women with Turner Syndrome adhered to official physical activity recommendations.
CONCLUSION
Although most women with Turner Syndrome had a healthy lifestyle, only a minority had sufficient physical activity. Pediatricians should promote structured physical activity in girls with Turner Syndrome from early childhood onwards to reduce their cardiovascular risk in adulthood and to increase long-term health-related quality of life.
