A pilot study of cortisol secretion in girls with Turner Syndrome
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A pilot study of salivary cortisol and cortisone profiles and associations with cardiovascular risk profile in paediatric patients with Turner Syndrome.
IRAS ID
303767
Contact name
Joanne Blair
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Alder Hey Children's Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 27 days
Research summary
Turner syndrome (TS) is a condition that affects one in every 2,000 girls. It is a genetic condition, and affects patients in many different ways. Girls with TS are short and may be treated with growth hormone. Almost all girls will have failure of their ovaries requiring hormone treatments during adolescence and adult life. Patients may also have abnormalities of the heart, kidneys, spine and dentition, hearing loss and visual problems, and some girls will need additional support at school.
Girls with TS are also at increased risk of high blood pressure (BP), high blood cholesterol levels, adverse body composition (an unfavourable balance between body fat and muscle) and diabetes. Together these factors increase their risk of early heart disease and premature death.
A recent study reported that patients with TS had higher cortisol levels in hair samples than people without TS. This is important, as high cortisol levels also increase the risk of high BP, cholesterol, adverse body composition and diabetes. This study showed that cortisol levels were related to blood cholesterol levels, suggesting this might be an important link. The last study did not examine whether cortisol levels were related to body composition, BP or markers of vascular health.
In this pilot study we would like to learn about the acceptability of a study protocol that examines the relationship between cortisol levels and a range of markers of cardiovascular risk in more detail. In this small pilot study we will not be able to confirm, or refute whether these relationships exist. However, we will learn whether patients agree to take part in the study, whether there are any elements of the study protocol that are not acceptable, and obtain some early data that will inform the design of a definitive study.REC name
South Central - Hampshire A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/SC/0292
Date of REC Opinion
3 Nov 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion