Hearing impairment and low bone mineral density increase the risk of bone fractures in women with Turner's syndrome

Summary Aims To assess factors associated with excess rates of fractures in women with Turner's syndrome (TS). Outcome measures History of bone fracture and treatment with oestrogen, growth hormone (GH), oxandrolone and thyroxine, anthropometry, blood measurements of calcium, vitamin D (25-hydroxycholecalciferol), parathyroid hormone and karyotype, pure tone audiometry and spinal bone mineral density (BMD). Results One hundred and seventy-seven consecutive women with TS, aged 19–60 years, were interviewed with respect to bone fracture history. BMD and hearing information were recorded from the medical notes. Karyotype was available in 94% of patients (55% monosomy 45X, 45% other X chromosome defects and mosaicism). Subjects had a mean (SD) height of 1·47 (0·07) m and BMI 25·8 (5·2) kg/m2. The prevalence of fractures was 32% and hearing impairment 84% (18% conductive and 67% sensorineual, of whom 32% and 16%, respectively, used hearing aids). BMD T score was