Jane O'Bryan1, Melissa Scribani2, Kimberly Leon3, Nancy Tallman2, Christopher Wolf-Gould4, Carolyn Wolf-Gould4, Anne Gadomski2. 1. Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, 310 Cedar Street, FMB 215, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA. jane.obryan@yale.edu. 2. Bassett Research Institute, Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown, NY, USA. 3. Columbia-Bassett Program, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, Cooperstown, NY, USA. 4. The Gender Wellness Center/Susquehanna Family Practice, A.O. Fox Hospital, Bassett Healthcare Network, Oneonta, NY, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To address a critical gap in the existing Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) literature by quantifying and describing HRQOL among transgender and gender expansive (TG/GE) youth at a rural gender clinic and comparing the HRQOL of these youth to age-stratified United States (U.S.) population standards. METHODS: This cross-sectional study includes results of the baseline HRQOL assessment of 141 TG/GE patients enrolled in the Gender Wellness Center (GWC) Pediatric Patient Registry. HRQOL was assessed using the Child Health Questionnaire-Child Form 87 (CHQ-CF87; ages < 18) and the Short Form-36 (SF-36v2; ages 18-21). Mean subscale scores were compared to the most current U.S. population standards available. RESULTS: On all but one of the CHQ-CF87 subscales, TG/GE youth scored significantly lower than 2015-2016 U.S. general population youth and youth with two chronic conditions. On the SF-36v2, TG/GE youth scored significantly higher than 2009 U.S. standards on all physical health domains but lower on all but one of the mental health domains. CONCLUSIONS: Cross-sectional HRQOL data from a registry of TG/GE youth indicate significantly poorer mental health measures as compared with the U.S. general population. Longitudinal assessments are needed to evaluate whether HRQOL improves with gender-affirming care. Future studies should aim to identify sociocultural factors at the intersection of rurality and health that contribute to diminished HRQOL among rural TG/GE youth.
PURPOSE: To address a critical gap in the existing Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) literature by quantifying and describing HRQOL among transgender and gender expansive (TG/GE) youth at a rural gender clinic and comparing the HRQOL of these youth to age-stratified United States (U.S.) population standards. METHODS: This cross-sectional study includes results of the baseline HRQOL assessment of 141 TG/GE patients enrolled in the Gender Wellness Center (GWC) Pediatric Patient Registry. HRQOL was assessed using the Child Health Questionnaire-Child Form 87 (CHQ-CF87; ages < 18) and the Short Form-36 (SF-36v2; ages 18-21). Mean subscale scores were compared to the most current U.S. population standards available. RESULTS: On all but one of the CHQ-CF87 subscales, TG/GE youth scored significantly lower than 2015-2016 U.S. general population youth and youth with two chronic conditions. On the SF-36v2, TG/GE youth scored significantly higher than 2009 U.S. standards on all physical health domains but lower on all but one of the mental health domains. CONCLUSIONS: Cross-sectional HRQOL data from a registry of TG/GE youth indicate significantly poorer mental health measures as compared with the U.S. general population. Longitudinal assessments are needed to evaluate whether HRQOL improves with gender-affirming care. Future studies should aim to identify sociocultural factors at the intersection of rurality and health that contribute to diminished HRQOL among rural TG/GE youth.
Entities:
Keywords:
Adolescent; Anxiety; Mental health; Pediatric; Quality of life; Transgender
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