Clinical Research Directory

MaPGAS Decision Making

The goal of this clinical trial is to test a new online tool designed to provide clear and understandable information to help individuals considering Metoidioplasty and Phalloplasty Gender Affirming Surgery (MaPGAS)make informed decisions The main questions it aims to answer are: * How user-friendly is the decision aid for individuals considering metoidioplasty and phalloplasty? * Does using the decision aid reduce uncertainty and improve readiness for making surgery decisions compared to usual care? Participants in this study will: * Be randomly assigned to either 1) receive usual care or 2) test the web-based decision aid. * Share their feedback on the tool's usability and its helpfulness in supporting decision-making. * Complete surveys before and after using the decision aid to measure any changes in their decision-making process. Researchers will compare participants who used the decision aid with those who received standard care to see if the decision aid reduces decisional uncertainty and improves readiness for surgery.

GLOW: Gender-Affirming Care and Mental Health: A Longitudinal Study On Quality of Life, Work Life, and Healthcare Outcomes

GLOW is a longitudinal mixed-methods study based at the NHV Gender Dysphoria Clinic in Region Skåne. It includes registry-based, qualitative interviews and repeated self-report measures up to 5 years after baseline assessment. Quantitative analyses will include regression models and Bayesian methods.

Can 3D Modeling Enhance Patient Understanding, Education, and Surgical Outcomes in Gender Affirming Peritoneal Vaginoplasty?

The project aims to address both clinical and relational gaps in transgender surgical care by improving understanding, communication, and outcomes through this novel integration of personalized 3D technology. The hypothesis is that using 3D models of patient specific anatomy will enhance patient understanding and education into how peritoneal vaginoplasty is done, while also improving surgical planning and therefore outcomes by decreasing OR time and reducing complication rates. The investigators seek to foster stronger physician-patient relationships by improving communication and shared decision-making, ultimately helping transgender patients feel more empowered, engaged, and willing to seek care in the future.

Gender Affirming Vaginoplasty With Tubularized Augmented Peritoneal Cap (TAPCap) Utilizing Fish Skin Xenograft (Kerecis™)

Bottom gender affirming surgery is one of the key steps towards aligning the physical appearance and gender identity in transgender women. This surgery not only helps in reducing gender dysphoria but also significantly improves the quality of life and psychological well-being of the patients. The basic steps of bottom surgery typically involve the creation of a vagina using the skin from genital organs like the testes and penis, construction of the clitoris and labia. This complex surgery aims to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing vaginal canal that allows for sexual activity, urinary function, and a natural appearance. As part of routine care, a special graft (skin-like material) called Kerecis™ is used to line the middle part of the vagina. It is made from North Atlantic cod skin that is treated in the laboratory and made suitable for surgery purposes. It can be used instead of skin. This graft has been given permission by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for marketing the US. This study aims to identify changes in healing parameters following Kerecis™ based vaginoplasty. Up to 20 participants for this study. Participants will be asked to fill out study questionnaires during follow-up visits at post-op week 2, week 12, month , and year 1. At the 6 month post-op follow up, punch biopsies will be obtained from the deepest part, middle part, and the vaginal part most near to the vaginal opening parts to check the healing process using a microscope. The punch biopsies will be 1/8th inch x 1/8th inch each.

Gender-Affirming Care and Mental Health

Introduction Gender-Affirming Care and Mental Health (GLOW) investigates the psychological, medical, and social factors that influence the outcomes of gender-affirming care, as well as its impact on mental health, work capacity, and quality of life. Gender dysphoria is defined as the incongruence of a person's experienced gender and sex assigned at birth. In Sweden, the prevalence of gender dysphoria has increased significantly in recent decades. Still there is no consensus on the long-term outcomes of gender-affirming care. 1. What are the baseline characteristics in individuals seeking gender-affirming care and do any of these predict outcomes of gender-affirmative care? 2. Do individuals with gender dysphoria experience improved or reduced quality of life, gender congruence, or functional capacity after gender-affirming care? 3. Does gender-affirming care reduce or increase psychiatric symptoms and self-concept clarity? 4. What are the effects of gender-affirming care on mortality, work capacity, and healthcare resource utilization as compared to an age and gender matched control group? Data and Method GLOW targets patients at the Gender Dysphoria Clinic, Region Skåne a National Highly Specialized Care unit (NHV). Mixed methods will be used to analyze data from national registries and self-reported assessments.The NHV status ensures standardized high-quality data collection and clinical follow-up, making this project a unique opportunity to evaluate the care given to individuals with gender dysphoria. Societal Relevance and Utility The growing demand for gender-affirming care underscores the need for research to identify the most effective interventions. The results may also help reduce stigma and improve social integration for individuals with gender dysphoria.

Comparative Study of Gender Identity Disorder Versus Control

Gender dysphoria is manifested by an internal tension between biological sex and gender, that is, by a non-congruence, in the subjects who suffer from it, between their sex of birth and their social gender identity.

The Copenhagen Gender Identity Cohort

The goal of this observational study is to systematically collect data on adults seeking medical and surgical treatments for gender incongruence. This prospective, longitudinal cohort aims to generate insights into the safety, effectiveness, and overall satisfaction with current treatments. Additionally, the study seeks to identify areas for improvement and support healthcare professionals in making informed decisions. Most importantly, it aims to enhance the quality of life for transgender and gender-diverse individuals by ensuring that the care they receive aligns with their needs and goals. Participants will include patients seeking treatment at the Copenhagen Center for Gender Identity, Denmark. Data collection will be both clinician- and patient-reported. Participants will be asked to complete online surveys at baseline, after the assessment process, and annually if they initiate hormone therapy. The study will systematically gather information on gender identity and transition experiences, sociodemographics, self-medication, health status, self-reported quality of life, and treatment preferences. Additionally, detailed records of treatment courses and specific interventions will be collected from all involved healthcare providers across specialties. The study will evaluate the effects of different treatment options, both in the short and long term. It will explore how quality of life is associated with gender identity, transition, sociodemographics, lifestyle, and health, as well as assess the medical impact of various treatments, including counseling, hormone therapy, and surgery. Furthermore, the study will investigate the prevalence of side effects and complications related to treatment, as well as factors influencing treatment discontinuation, including cases of detransition. Finally, the project will focus on quality indicators such as waiting times and patient satisfaction, contributing to the ongoing development of high-quality, patient-centered care for transgender and gender-diverse individuals.