@article{ref1,
title="Masculinising testosterone treatment and effects on preclinical cardiovascular disease, muscle strength and power, aggression, physical fitness and respiratory  function in transgender men: protocol for a 10-year, prospective, observational  cohort study in Denmark at the Body Identity Clinic (BIC)",
journal="BMJ open",
year="2020",
author="Lehmann Christensen, Louise and Glintborg, Dorte and Taulbjerg Kristensen, Tine and Diederichsen, Axel and T'sjoen, Guy and Frystyk, Jan and Skovsager Andersen, Marianne",
volume="10",
number="12",
pages="e045714-e045714",
abstract="INTRODUCTION: The number of individuals with gender dysphoria seeking gender-affirming treatment is increasing. The short-term and long-term effects of  masculinising treatment with testosterone are debated as serum testosterone  increases up to 20-fold compared with cisgender women. We will investigate  short-term and long-term effects of masculinising testosterone treatment on  preclinical and clinical coronary disease, muscle strength and power, oxygen  consumption (VO(2)) max, cardiac and respiratory function and quality of life  including aggression in transgender men. <br><br>METHODS AND ANALYSES: Prospective,  single-centre, observational cohort study at the Body Identity Clinic (BIC), Odense  University Hospital, Denmark. Investigations are performed at inclusion and  following 1, 3, 5 and 10 years of testosterone therapy. Non-calcified coronary  plaque volume and calcium score are estimated by coronary CT angiography. CT is only  performed at inclusion and following 1 and 10 years. Upper body muscle strength and  power are measured by a 'low row' weight stack resisted exercise machine. Evaluation  of aggression and quality of life is assessed by questionnaires, VO(2) max is  estimated by maximal testing on bike ergometer, and cardiac and respiratory  functions are measured by echocardiography and spirometry, respectively. Markers of  cardiovascular risk and inflammation and also cortisol and cortisone are assessed in  blood, diurnal urine and/or hair samples. Our cohort (BIC), including dropouts, will  be an embedded subcohort in a future national registry study in all individuals with  gender dysphoria and controls. Data are available on International Statistical  Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10(th) version diagnostic  codes, prescriptions, socioeconomics and causes of death. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION:  The Regional Committee on Health Research Ethics for Southern Denmark (S-20190108)  and the Danish Data Protection Agency (19/27572) approved the study. Signed informed  consent will be obtained from all participants. All findings will be published in  peer-reviewed journals or at scientific conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:  NCT04254354.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2044-6055",
doi="10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045714",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045714"
}