Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Transgender people are a population affected by a variety of negative health indicators. Studies report, among other conditions, a high prevalence of mental health problems, however, long-term longitudinal follow-up studies are scarce.

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the quality of life (WHOWOL-BREF scale), self-esteem (RSES scale), levels of anxiety (GAD-7 scale) and depression (PHQ-9 scale) of transgender people attended at the Provincial Gender Unit of the Hospital Puerta del Mar (Cádiz).

Materials and methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study based on the electronic medical records and the answers obtained in the questionnaires administered to the people attended at the Gender Identity Unit of Hospital Puerta del Mar (Cadiz), between October of 2022 and May of 2023.

Results: Of the 150 people included in this study, 62% were transmen and 32.7% transwomen and 4.7% non-binary gender. The mean age was 19.9±4.9 years. The majority of people (58%) had a previous mental health history and 32.7% visited clinical psychologist during the follow-up. 45.6% declared bullying in the social field. The people analyzed had moderate levels of anxiety and depression, with no significant differences found between groups. The mean score in the self-esteem scale was 13.77±3 indicating low self-esteem. Transwomen had better perception of their health (3,35±0.9) than transmen (2.97±0.96), (P=0.03). Transgender people, who visited the unit’s psychological consultation, had a lowed score in the physical domain of the WHOQOL-BREF scale (77.48±15.54 vs 85.22±16.54), (P<0.01).

Conclusions: In our cohort, most transgender people have a previous history of mental health and almost half declared bullying in the social field. People who visit clinical psychologist have less physical wellbeing. It is essential that the Gender Identity Unit team has available mental health professionals to provide psychological support.