We evaluated treatment patterns and gender-dependent dosing of growth hormone (GH) substitution in adults with GH deficiency (AGHD). Data on GH dose were collected (2003–2013) from 509 GH-treated patients (mean age: 48.9 years; 47% female) enroled in the observational German NordiWin study (NCT01543880). The impact of gender, age, treatment duration and calendar year on GH treatment patterns was evaluated by multiple regression analysis. Mean (SD) baseline GH dose (mg/day) was similar between females (0.25 [0.19] and males (0.24 [0.15]), but increased with treatment duration (at year 10, 0.55 [0.48] and 0.31 [0.09] in females and males, respectively), reflecting patient dose titration. GH dose increased more in females than males during treatment; this was statistically significant in years 2–6 (p < 0.05). Over the 10-year study period, a time trend of an overall estimated GH dose increase by 0.06 mg/day (females) and decrease by 0.07 mg/day (males) was shown; this interaction of gender and calendar year was significant (p < 0.0001). In both genders, overall GH dose decreased with increasing age (p < 0.0001). Our study confirms that females and younger patients require higher GH doses compared with males and older patients.

We evaluated treatment patterns and gender-dependent dosing of growth hormone (GH) substitution in adults with GH deficiency (AGHD). Data on GH dose were collected (2003–2013) from 509 GH-treated patients (mean age: 48.9 years; 47% female) enroled in the observational German NordiWin study (NCT01543880). The impact of gender, age, treatment duration and calendar year on GH treatment patterns was evaluated by multiple regression analysis. Mean (SD) baseline GH dose (mg/day) was similar between females (0.25 [0.19] and males (0.24 [0.15]), but increased with treatment duration (at year 10, 0.55 [0.48] and 0.31 [0.09] in females and males, respectively), reflecting patient dose titration. GH dose increased more in females than males during treatment; this was statistically significant in years 2–6 (p < 0.05). Over the 10-year study period, a time trend of an overall estimated GH dose increase by 0.06 mg/day (females) and decrease by 0.07 mg/day (males) was shown; this interaction of gender and calendar year was significant (p < 0.0001). In both genders, overall GH dose decreased with increasing age (p < 0.0001). Our study confirms that females and younger patients require higher GH doses compared with males and older patients.

Introduction Studies in the general population suggest that determinants of QoL are often sex-dependent. Sex-dependent analyses of QoL in transgender populations have not been performed so far. Methods In this cross-sectional multicentre study including 82 transwomen (TW) and 72 transmen (TM) at different treatment stages, we investigated potential determinants for QoL, assessed by the Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36), focusing on the impact of mood (BDI, STAI-X), sleep quality (PSQI), chronic pain (GPQ), body image (FBeK) and social support (SSS). Results The age-adjusted SF-36 total score and its subscales did not significantly differ between TM and TW. Using a multivariate regression analysis approach, we identified common but also sex-dependent determinants for QoL (Adjusted R² = 0.228; 0.650 respectively). Accounting for general characteristics such as age, BMI and treatment status, sleep quality according to the PSQI was an independent and strong determinant of QoL in both sexes (β = -0.451, p =0.003 TM; β = -0.320; p = 0.0029 TW). Chronic pain was a significant independent predictor of QoL in TM (β = -0.298; p = 0.042) but not in TW. In contrast, anxiety (β= - 0.451; p< 0.001) being unemployed (β= -0.206; p = 0.020) and insecurity about the own appearance (FBeK) (β= -0.261; p = 0.01) were independent predictors of QoL in TW. The rate of those reporting high sleep disturbances (PSQI ≥5) was high with 79.2% in TW and 81.2% in TM. Accordingly, age-adjusted QoL was also significantly lower in those reporting poor sleep in both sexes. Conclusions Sleep strongly affected QoL in both gender, while other factors, like pain and body image, seem to be gender specific in transgender individuals.

Introduction Studies in the general population suggest that determinants of QoL are often sex-dependent. Sex-dependent analyses of QoL in transgender populations have not been performed so far. Methods In this cross-sectional multicentre study including 82 transwomen (TW) and 72 transmen (TM) at different treatment stages, we investigated potential determinants for QoL, assessed by the Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36), focusing on the impact of mood (BDI, STAI-X), sleep quality (PSQI), chronic pain (GPQ), body image (FBeK) and social support (SSS). Results The age-adjusted SF-36 total score and its subscales did not significantly differ between TM and TW. Using a multivariate regression analysis approach, we identified common but also sex-dependent determinants for QoL (Adjusted R² = 0.228; 0.650 respectively). Accounting for general characteristics such as age, BMI and treatment status, sleep quality according to the PSQI was an independent and strong determinant of QoL in both sexes (β = -0.451, p =0.003 TM; β = -0.320; p = 0.0029 TW). Chronic pain was a significant independent predictor of QoL in TM (β = -0.298; p = 0.042) but not in TW. In contrast, anxiety (β= - 0.451; p< 0.001) being unemployed (β= -0.206; p = 0.020) and insecurity about the own appearance (FBeK) (β= -0.261; p = 0.01) were independent predictors of QoL in TW. The rate of those reporting high sleep disturbances (PSQI ≥5) was high with 79.2% in TW and 81.2% in TM. Accordingly, age-adjusted QoL was also significantly lower in those reporting poor sleep in both sexes. Conclusions Sleep strongly affected QoL in both gender, while other factors, like pain and body image, seem to be gender specific in transgender individuals.

Introduction Studies in the general population suggest that determinants of QoL are often sex-dependent. Sex-dependent analyses of QoL in transgender populations have not been performed so far. Methods In this cross-sectional multicentre study including 82 transwomen (TW) and 72 transmen (TM) at different treatment stages, we investigated potential determinants for QoL, assessed by the Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36), focusing on the impact of mood (BDI, STAI-X), sleep quality (PSQI), chronic pain (GPQ), body image (FBeK) and social support (SSS). Results The age-adjusted SF-36 total score and its subscales did not significantly differ between TM and TW. Using a multivariate regression analysis approach, we identified common but also sex-dependent determinants for QoL (Adjusted R² = 0.228; 0.650 respectively). Accounting for general characteristics such as age, BMI and treatment status, sleep quality according to the PSQI was an independent and strong determinant of QoL in both sexes (β = -0.451, p =0.003 TM; β = -0.320; p = 0.0029 TW). Chronic pain was a significant independent predictor of QoL in TM (β = -0.298; p = 0.042) but not in TW. In contrast, anxiety (β= - 0.451; p< 0.001) being unemployed (β= -0.206; p = 0.020) and insecurity about the own appearance (FBeK) (β= -0.261; p = 0.01) were independent predictors of QoL in TW. The rate of those reporting high sleep disturbances (PSQI ≥5) was high with 79.2% in TW and 81.2% in TM. Accordingly, age-adjusted QoL was also significantly lower in those reporting poor sleep in both sexes. Conclusions Sleep strongly affected QoL in both gender, while other factors, like pain and body image, seem to be gender specific in transgender individuals.

No description available