All issues > Volume 52(3); 2009

Original Article

Korean J Pediatr. 2009;52(3):370-375. Published online March 15, 2009.

Development of metabolic syndrome and its correlation with insulin resistance in adult patients with Turner syndrome

Joo Hwa JH Kim¹, Min Jae MJ Kang¹, Choong Ho CH Shin¹, Sei Won SW Yang¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence Choong Ho CH Shin ,Email: chshinpd@snu.ac.kr

Abstract

Purpose
: The risk of metabolic syndrome (MS) and cardiovascular disease in Turner syndrome (TS) patients is high. We analyzed metabolic factors in adults with TS and evaluated the metabolic risk of insulin resistance.
Methods
: Forty-three adults with TS were enrolled. The frequency of MS and the values of the metabolic factors were analyzed. Patients were divided into insulin resistant and non-resistant groups according to values of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The correlations of HOMA-IR with metabolic parameters were analyzed.
Results
: The frequency of MS was 7% and those of each metabolic parameter were as follows: insulin resistance, 16.3%; central obesity, 15.4%; hypertriglyceridemia, 2.3%; low HDL cholesterol, 9.3%; hypertension, 36.8%. The insulin-resistant group had significantly higher values of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), HOMA-IR, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) than the non-resistant group (P<0.05). HOMA-IR showed a significantly positive correlation with BMI, WC, FPG, and SBP and showed a negative correlation with HDL cholesterol.
Conclusion
: This study suggests that adults with TS have a high risk of metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance is correlated with metabolic factors. Therefore, TS patients should have their metabolic parameters monitored regularly to minimize metabolic complications and prevent cardiovascular diseases.

Keywords :Turner syndrome, Adult, Metabolic syndrome, Cardiovascular disease, Insulin resistance