Mental health outcomes and loneliness in older transgender individuals receiving long-term gender-affirming hormone therapy compared with older cisgender individuals.

Transgender women scored significantly higher than cisgender women on depressive symptoms, anxiety, and loneliness.

• Depressive symptoms ratio: 1.92 (95% CI 1.52–2.42) compared to cisgender women
• Anxiety ratio: 1.43 (95% CI 1.17–1.75) compared to cisgender women
• Loneliness ratio: 2.42 (95% CI 1.96–2.97) compared to cisgender women
• Sample included 72 transgender women aged 56–84 years receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy for ≥10 years
• Age-matched 1:3 with cisgender women from the general population

Transgender women scored significantly higher than cisgender men on depressive symptoms, anxiety, and loneliness.

• Depressive symptoms ratio: 2.66 (95% CI 2.11–3.37) compared to cisgender men
• Anxiety ratio: 1.89 (95% CI 1.54–2.32) compared to cisgender men
• Loneliness ratio: 2.32 (95% CI 1.92–2.82) compared to cisgender men
• These comparisons highlight that transgender women had worse outcomes than both cisgender comparison groups

Transgender men scored significantly higher than cisgender men on depressive symptoms, anxiety, and loneliness.

• Depressive symptoms ratio: 2.10 (95% CI 1.50–2.94) compared to cisgender men
• Anxiety ratio: 1.67 (95% CI 1.27–2.19) compared to cisgender men
• Loneliness ratio: 1.50 (95% CI 1.16–1.93) compared to cisgender men
• Sample included 39 transgender men aged 56–84 years receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy for ≥10 years

Transgender men scored higher than cisgender women specifically on loneliness, but not significantly on depressive symptoms or anxiety.

• Loneliness ratio for transgender men vs. cisgender women: 1.57 (95% CI 1.20–2.05)
• No significant differences were reported for depressive symptoms or anxiety when comparing transgender men to cisgender women
• This suggests loneliness is a particularly prominent issue for transgender men relative to cisgender women

Differences in mental health outcomes and loneliness between transgender and cisgender individuals were largely explained by financial, psychological, somatic, and social-contact related factors.

• Linear regression analyses with log-transformed variables were used, with back-transformation for presentation
• Models were sequentially adjusted for financial, psychological, somatic, and social-contact related factors
• The study design was cross-sectional, conducted at a gender identity clinic compared with a general population sample
• Specific mediating variables within each category (financial, psychological, somatic, social-contact) are identified as warranting further research

The study population consisted of older transgender individuals with long-term gender-affirming hormone therapy exposure, age-matched to cisgender controls.

• 72 transgender women and 39 transgender men, aged 56–84 years, had received gender-affirming hormone therapy for ≥10 years
• Participants were age-matched 1:3 with cisgender women and men from the general population
• Depressive symptoms, anxiety, and loneliness were assessed using validated questionnaires
• Study design was cross-sectional, recruiting from a gender identity clinic and the general population

Socio-economic, psychological, and somatic risk factors identified in older transgender individuals warrant further research and clinical awareness.

• The authors note that mental health outcomes were particularly compromised in transgender women
• Financial, psychological, somatic, and social-contact factors were identified as contributing to observed disparities
• The authors state these risk factors 'warrant further research and awareness'
• This is described in the context of a largely data-lacking area regarding older transgender adults