ESPE Abstracts

Background: Precocious puberty (PP) is associated with psychological and behavioral problems. However, little is known about body image and psychological features in girls with PP, being treatment with GnRH analogues.

Objective and hypotheses: This study aimed to evaluate the perception of body image and self-esteem in girls with PP, were receiving GnRH analogue therapy.

Method: From March to August 2013, 82 girls with PP with GnRH analogue therapy were enrolled. Participants completed a battery of questionnaires asking about the perception of body image, pubertal self-assessment, and self-esteem. The degree of depression was calculated using Korean Kovasc’s Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI).

Results: The mean duration of GnRH analogue treatment in PP was 13.22±8.27 months. Pubertal status of all patients was Tanner stage 1 on physical examination and laboratory test. The mean depression score were not different between patients and normal control. There were classified as Tanner stages by self assessment of patients; Tanner stage 1 (32.9%), Tanner stage 2 (43.9%), Tanner stage 3 (20.7%), and Tanner stages 4 and 5 (each 1.2%). The mean depression scores according to Tanner stage (1, 2, and 3–5) by self assessment were 4.92±0.11, 5.56±0.09, and 9.76±0.45 (P<0.05). The perception of overall body build and Figure (%) and the mean depression scores in patients were dissatisfied (25.6%, 10.86±0.39), neutral (37.8%, 4.86±0.09), and satisfied (36.6%, 4.96±0.10) (P<0.05). No significant difference of depression score was found between overweight/obese and normal weight patients. However 42 patients were dissatisfied with body weight and 22 patients among them were normal body weight. The depression score in the patients of those dissatisfied with their weight was significantly high (P<0.05).

Conclusion: The perception of pubertal status and overall body build and figures is unrelated to objectively physical findings. The wrong perception of body image seems to contribute to negative self-esteem.