Abstract
Study Objective
This study aimed to assess the experience and quality of life related to menstruation
in adolescents with a genetic syndrome accompanying intellectual disability (ID).
Methods
This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 49 adolescents with a genetic
syndrome accompanied by ID, which was defined by the Wescher Intelligence scale for
children-Revised and 50 unaffected controls. In a survey created by the authors, demographic
information, menstrual history, and information regarding menstrual difficulties,
school abstinence, dysmenorrhea, and premenstrual changes were collected. The Childhood
health assessment questionnaire was utilized to evaluate physical impairment, whereas
the QoL scale was utilized to evaluate QoL in general and during menstruation. Data
was collected from caregivers and additionally from the participants with mild ID,
whereas in the control group, data was collected from the participants.
Results
Menstrual history were similar between the two groups. Menstruation related school
absenteeism was higher among the ID group (8%vs.40.5%, p<0.001). Mothers reported
that 73% of their daughters need help with menstruation care. Social, school, psychosocial
functioning, and total QoL scores during menstruation were significantly lower in
the ID group when compared with the controls. A significant decrease in physical,
emotional, social, psychosocial functioning and total QoL score occurred during menstruation
in the ID group. None of the mothers requested menstrual suppression.
Conclusion
Although menstrual patterns in two groups were similar, QoL decreased significantly
while menstruating in the ID group. Despite a decrease in QoL, an increase in school
absenteeism and a high percentage of needing assistance while menstruating none of
the mothers requested menstrual suppression.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
February 25,
2023
Received in revised form:
January 28,
2023
Received:
October 1,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Journal Pre-ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2023 Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology.
