Gender-affirming care and mental health: long-term effects on quality of life, work ability, and healthcare use
GLOW: Gender-Affirming Care and Mental Health: A Longitudinal Study On Quality of Life, Work Life, and Healthcare Outcomes
This project will see if gender-affirming care improves mental health, quality of life, and ability to work for adults with gender dysphoria in Sweden.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 500 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Region Skane Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Malmö) |
| Trial ID | NCT07480590 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
GLOW is a longitudinal, mixed-methods program following adults referred to the NHV Gender Dysphoria Clinic in Region Skåne. It combines repeated self-reported measures of mental health, gender congruence, quality of life, and work capacity with linked national registry data on healthcare use, prescriptions, socio-economic indicators, and mortality. The study also conducts in-depth qualitative interviews and uses standardized clinical data collection across the clinic to capture medical and social context over time. Stakeholders including clinicians and patient advocacy organizations are involved to ensure the research addresses real-world priorities.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (18+) referred to the NHV Gender Dysphoria Clinic at Skåne University Hospital who can read and write Swedish and do not have protected identity status are eligible.
Not a fit: People who cannot read or write Swedish, have protected identity status, are not referred to the Region Skåne NHV clinic, or who do not proceed with gender-affirming treatments may not receive direct benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could clarify whether gender-affirming care produces lasting improvements in mental health, quality of life, and work capacity and inform clinical practice and policy.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research generally shows short-term improvements in mental health and quality of life after gender-affirming care, but long-term, registry-based evidence is limited and mixed.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * All adults (18+) referred to the NHV clinic for gender dysphoria assessment in Region Skåne. Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to read/write Swedish * Protected identity status
Where this trial is running
Malmö
- The Gender Dysphoria Clinic at Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden — Malmö, Sweden (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Emma Claesdotter-Knutsson, MD; Ass prof
- Email: emma.claesdotter-knutsson@regionskane.se
- Phone: +46768871765
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.