Rare genetic disorder carries nine times higher death risk, mainly from aortic rupture
Women with Turner syndrome face nearly triple the mortality rate of matched peers, with aortic dissection accounting for almost a quarter of deaths. The Swedish study of 472 patients over 26 years reveals a specific, preventable cardiovascular vulnerability that could reshape screening and monitoring protocols for this population—and highlight gaps in rare disease clinical management.
Originaltitel: All-cause mortality and death by aortic dissection in women with Turner syndrome: A national clinical cohort study
<p>Background: Turner syndrome (TS) is a complex genetic disorder with raised mortality. Our objective was to investigate mortality and causes of death in TS.</p><p>Methods: A matched retrospective observational study of women with TS recruited from the Turner centers in Sweden were conducted. A total of 472 women with TS, ≥16 years old with a cytogenetically verified diagnosis and 2357 controls, matched for birthyear and sex, were examined and followed since 1995 for up to 26 years. Survival analyses were performed with Cox proportional hazard models. Kaplan-Meier curves were generated. Cumulative incidence rates were evaluated by competing risks analysis, using cumulative incidence function.</p><p>Results: During a mean follow-up of 17 years, 35 (7.4%) women with TS and 70 (3.0%) controls died. All-cause mortality was elevated in TS, hazard ratio (HR) 2.90 (95% CI 1.92-4.37), mainly due to circulatory diseases and notably aortic dissection, with HR of 9.11 (95% CI 4.54-18.25) and 21.79 (95% CI 4.62-102.82), respectively. Aortic dissection was the single largest cause of death in TS, accounting for 23% (8/35) of total deaths. Death by cancer or external causes were not raised in TS. In individuals below 45 years of age death, aortic dissections were greatly increased compared to controls, HR 55.59 (95% CI 2.33-1325.69). From the ages 46 to 80 years a notably higher risk of dying by heart diseases, aortic dissection excluded, was shown in TS compared to controls HR, 7.7 (2.65-22.36). The median survival time was 8 years shorter in TS compared to controls.</p><p>Conclusions: The increased mortality in TS was mainly driven by aortic dissections in the young and by heart diseases in the older. Healthcare professionals should prioritize detection and monitoring, with emphasis on cardiovascular diseases.</p>