MSK Health in Ageing TGDA
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Musculoskeletal Health in Ageing Transgender and Gender Diverse Adults
IRAS ID
366116
Contact name
Alex Ireland
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Manchester Metropolitan University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The number of transgender and gender-diverse adults (TGDA) whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth has increased fivefold in the UK, now estimated at 262,000. Many TGDA choose to begin hormone treatment (HT) to align their bodies with their gender identity. In younger TGDA, HT can cause rapid and significant changes in muscle and bone health. However, clinicians know almost nothing about how these changes affect older TGDA aged 50 and above, especially at a time in life when conditions like osteoporosis (weakened bones) and sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass and strength) become increasingly severe. Our Public and Patient Involvement network has shown a strong demand for this research. Clinicians working in NHS Gender Identity Clinics have told us, “There’s no research. We’re left guessing.” Patients echoed this, saying they feel “invisible in preventive care” with no monitoring or tailored support for their musculoskeletal health. This pilot study will assess the bone and muscle health of 52 older TGDA adults (26 transfeminine and 26 transmasculine) who have undergone long-term hormone therapy and compare their health to 52 age matched cisgender people (26 men and 26women. Participants will be recruited from NHS services in Manchester and Leeds, where there are over 200 TGDA aged 50+ on HT and word of mouth recruitment. We will use safe, non-invasive scans and functional tests to measure bone density, muscle mass, and physical performance. The pilot results will provide exclusive data on musculoskeletal health in older TGDA people and will lay the foundation for larger grant applications, such as Wellcome Early-Career Awards
REC name
South Central - Oxford A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/SC/0193
Date of REC Opinion
11 Jun 2026
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion