The impact of obesity on cardiovascular risk factors in Turner's syndrome

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate risk factors for coronary artery disease in women with Turner's syndrome which may contribute to the increased incidence of premature cardiovascular death noted in this disorder.

Design: Comparison of clinical and biochemical parameters in women with Turner's syndrome with those in women with normal karyotype.

Patients: Ninety-one women with Turner's syndrome attending a dedicated adult Turner's syndrome clinic and 22 control subjects were studied.

Measurements: Recumbent blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), fasting total cholesterol, triglycerides and high density lipoproteins (HDL) were measured in both study groups.

Results: Women with Turner's syndrome were more obese compared with women with a normal karyotype. They were more likely to be hypertensive and the obese patients had higher serum triglyceride concentrations. Hypertension was independent of obesity and may be under-recognized because of failure to compare with age-matched normal ranges. Lipoprotein changes were accounted for by the obesity.

Conclusions: Women with Turner's syndrome may be at increased risk of developing coronary artery disease as a result of the higher frequency of hypertension and obesity. Routine screening of this population for risk factors for ischaemic heart disease is recommended.