IBD in the Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Population
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Population
IRAS ID
354928
Contact name
Andrew Poullis
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 1 months, 31 days
Research summary
Background
A census in England and Wales showed that 0.6% of people identify as transgender or gender non-conforming (TGNC). Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) causes swelling or bleeding in the bowel. We think there are about 2,500 TGNC people with IBD (TGNC-IBD) in the country. TGNC people often have more health problems, face delays in diagnosis and receive worse healthcare than those who identify with the same gender as their biological sex assigned at birth, named cisgender people. We know very little about TGNC-IBD people and their specific issues and we are concerned that we are not giving these patients good care.Methods
Through the recently established patient portal run by the Tavistock Gender Identity Clinic, we will ask all those under the care of the Tavistock Gender Identity Service if they suffer from IBD and if they do, would they be willing to complete an anonymous online questionnaire. Through this we will collect data to help us better understand TGNC-IBD patients. We will use the questionnaire responses to provide information on the TGNC-IBD population including demographic data, rates of comorbidity, rates of complications and quality of life measures.Benefits to Patients
Our study will help healthcare providers better understand the TGNC-IBD population and the problems they face. It will also make healthcare professionals more aware of TGNC-IBD patients which we hope will reduce stigma and improve care for these patients.REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/PR/0272
Date of REC Opinion
8 Apr 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion