Follow-up of psychological outcomes of interventions in patients diagnosed with disorders of sexual development: A systematic review

J Health Psychol. 2016 Oct;21(10):2195-206. doi: 10.1177/1359105315572454. Epub 2015 Feb 26.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review of articles that followed up the psychological outcomes of interventions in patients with disorders of sexual development. The analysis focused on the methodological quality of the studies and the assumptions on the evaluation of the intervention outcomes. The review signaled the need for better consideration about the complexity of intersexuality and for a shift from the anatomical/functional/aesthetic to the subjective outcomes related to patient's quality of life. Furthermore, it is suggested that the interventions should be better investigated, given the lack of evidence for the necessity of early procedures.

Keywords: disorder of sexual development; follow-up; intersexuality; psychological outcomes; systematic review.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Disorders of Sex Development / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care / statistics & numerical data*