Five-Year Randomized Study Demonstrates Blood Pressure Increases in Young Women With Turner Syndrome Regardless of Estradiol Dose

We evaluated the development in blood pressure (BP) and heart rate in young women with Turner syndrome (TS) and investigated potential influencing cofactors. Twenty TS women (mean±SD, 22.9±2.3 years of age) were investigated in a 5-year prospective setting. Data were derived from a randomized controlled clinical trial investigating 2 different doses of estradiol treatment (2 mg 17β-estradiol per day and placebo or 2+2 mg 17β-estradiol per day). A control group of 12 healthy age-matched young women (mean±SD, 23.11±2.2 years of age) was examined at the end of the study. BP and lipids were monitored yearly. At the end of the study, TS (n=15) and controls were examined by 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring. Systolic and diastolic BPs increased regardless of estradiol dose (P=0.005 and P=0.009) in TS patients, whereas heart rate decreased (P=0.05). Neither body mass index, height, weight, nor lipids contributed significant to the changes. There was no difference in BP, heart rate, or lipids because of treatment. At the end of the study, diastolic BP and heart rate were significantly higher in TS during day, night, and over 24 hours. Systolic BP increased insignificantly. Lipids did not change during the study period, but body mass index determined individual levels. In conclusion, systolic and diastolic BPs increase significantly in late adolescence and early adulthood in TS. It remains an enigma why BP increases early in life in TS.