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Fisher AD, Marconi M, Castellini G, Safer JD, D'Arienzo S, Levi M, Brogonzoli L, Iardino R, Cocchetti C, Romani A, Mazzoli F, Matarrese P, Ricca V, Vignozzi L, Maggi M, Pierdominici M, Ristori J. Estimate and needs of the transgender adult population: the SPoT study. J Endocrinol Invest 2024; 47:1373-1383. [PMID: 38372939 PMCID: PMC11143024 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-023-02251-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the increasing interest in transgender health research, to date little is known about the size of the transgender and gender diverse (TGD) population. METHODS A web-based questionnaire survey was developed, including a collection of socio-demographic characteristics and disseminated online through social media. Gender incongruence was evaluated by using a 2-item approach assessing gender recorded at birth and gender identity. The primary objective of the present population-based study was to estimate the proportion of TGD people across ages among a large sample of people who answered a web-based survey. The secondary endpoints were to identify gender-affirming needs and possible barriers to healthcare access. RESULTS A total of 19,572 individuals participated in the survey, of whom 7.7% reported a gender identity different from the sex recorded at birth. A significantly higher proportion of TGD people was observed in the youngest group of participants compared with older ones. Among TGD people who participated in the study, 58.4% were nonbinary, and 49.1% experienced discrimination in accessing health care services. Nonbinary TGD participants reported both the need for legal name and gender change, along with hormonal and surgical interventions less frequently compared to binary persons. CONCLUSIONS Being TGD is not a marginal condition In Italy. A large proportion of TGD persons may not need medical and surgical treatments. TGD people often experience barriers to healthcare access relating to gender identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- A D Fisher
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Florence University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
- Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Florence, Italy.
| | - M Marconi
- Reference Centre for Gender Medicine, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - G Castellini
- Psychiatric Unit, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - J D Safer
- Mount Sinai Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery, New York City, NY, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - S D'Arienzo
- Azienda USL Toscana Centro SOC Monitoraggio e Programmazione Performance Clinico-Assistenziale Pistoia, Prato ed Empoli e Relazioni con Agenzie Esterne, Florence, Italy
| | - M Levi
- UFC Epidemiologia, Dipartimento di Prevenzione Azienda USL Toscana Centro, Florence, Italy
| | | | | | - C Cocchetti
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Florence University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - A Romani
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Florence University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - F Mazzoli
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Florence University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - P Matarrese
- Reference Centre for Gender Medicine, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - V Ricca
- Psychiatric Unit, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - L Vignozzi
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Florence University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - M Maggi
- Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - M Pierdominici
- Reference Centre for Gender Medicine, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - J Ristori
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Florence University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Iwamoto SJ, Rice JD, Moreau KL, Cornier MA, Wierman ME, Mancuso MP, Gebregzabheir A, Hammond DB, Rothman MS. The association of gender-affirming hormone therapy duration and body mass index on bone mineral density in gender diverse adults. J Clin Transl Endocrinol 2024; 36:100348. [PMID: 38756206 PMCID: PMC11096741 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcte.2024.100348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Feminizing and masculinizing gender-affirming hormone therapy (fGAHT, mGAHT) results in bone mineral density (BMD) maintenance or improvement over time in transgender and gender diverse (TGD) adults. Mostly European TGD studies have explored GAHT's impact on BMD, but the association of BMI and BMD in TGD adults deserves further study. Objective To determine whether GAHT duration or BMI are associated with BMD and Z-scores among TGD young adults. Methods Cross-sectional study of nonsmoking TGD adults aged 18-40 years without prior gonadectomy or gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) therapy taking GAHT for > 1 year. BMD and Z-scores were collected from dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Associations between femoral neck, total hip, and lumbar spine BMDs and Z-scores and the predictors, GAHT duration and BMI, were estimated using linear regression. Results Among 15 fGAHT and 15 mGAHT, mean BMIs were 27.6 +/- standard deviation (SD) 6.4 kg/m2 and 25.3 +/- 5.9 kg/m2, respectively. Both groups had mean BMDs and Z-scores within expected male and female reference ranges at all three sites. Higher BMI among mGAHT was associated with higher femoral neck and total hip BMDs (femoral neck: β = 0.019 +/- standard error [SE] 0.007 g/cm2, total hip: β = 0.017 +/- 0.006 g/cm2; both p < 0.05) and Z-scores using male and female references. GAHT duration was not associated with BMDs or Z-scores for either group. Conclusions Z-scores in young, nonsmoking TGD adults taking GAHT for > 1 year, without prior gonadectomy or GnRHa, and with mean BMIs in the overweight range, were reassuringly within the expected ranges for age based on male and female references. Higher BMI, but not longer GAHT duration, was associated with higher femoral neck and total hip BMDs and Z-scores among mGAHT. Larger, prospective studies are needed to understand how body composition changes, normal or low BMIs, and gonadectomy affect bone density in TGD adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean J. Iwamoto
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12801 E 17th Ave, 7103, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Endocrinology, Medicine and Research Services, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, 1700 N Wheeling St, 111H, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- UCHealth Integrated Transgender Program, University of Colorado Hospital, 1635 Aurora Court, Anschutz Outpatient Pavilion, 6th floor, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - John D. Rice
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Kerrie L. Moreau
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12631 E 17th Ave, 8111, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Eastern Colorado Healthcare System, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, 1700 N Wheeling St, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Marc-André Cornier
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, 96 Jonathan Lucas St, CSB 822, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Margaret E. Wierman
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12801 E 17th Ave, 7103, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Endocrinology, Medicine and Research Services, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, 1700 N Wheeling St, 111H, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Mary P. Mancuso
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12631 E 17th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Amanuail Gebregzabheir
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12801 E 17th Ave, 7103, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Daniel B. Hammond
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12801 E 17th Ave, 7103, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- UCHealth Integrated Transgender Program, University of Colorado Hospital, 1635 Aurora Court, Anschutz Outpatient Pavilion, 6th floor, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Micol S. Rothman
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12801 E 17th Ave, 7103, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- UCHealth Integrated Transgender Program, University of Colorado Hospital, 1635 Aurora Court, Anschutz Outpatient Pavilion, 6th floor, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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Ho TF, Zenger B, Mark B, Hiatt L, Sullivan E, Steinberg BA, Lyons A, Spivak AM, Agarwal C, Adelman M, Hotaling J, Kiraly B, Talboys S. Characteristics of a transgender and gender-diverse patient population in Utah: Use of electronic health records to advance clinical and health equity research. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0302895. [PMID: 38713697 PMCID: PMC11075904 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) people, individuals whose gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth, face unique challenges in accessing gender-affirming care and often experience disparities in a variety of health outcomes. Clinical research on TGD health is limited by a lack of standardization on how to best identify these individuals. The objective of this retrospective cohort analysis was to accurately identify and describe TGD adults and their use of gender-affirming care from 2003-2023 in a healthcare system in Utah, United States. International Classification of Disease (ICD)-9 and 10 codes and surgical procedure codes, along with sexual orientation and gender identity data were used to develop a dataset of 4,587 TGD adults. During this time frame, 2,985 adults received gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) and/or gender-affirming surgery (GAS) within one healthcare system. There was no significant difference in race or ethnicity between TGD adults who received GAHT and/or GAS compared to TGD adults who did not receive such care. TGD adults who received GAHT and/or GAS were more likely to have commercial insurance coverage, and adults from rural communities were underrepresented. Patients seeking estradiol-based GAHT tended to be older than those seeking testosterone-based GAHT. The first GAS occurred in 2013, and uptake of GAS have doubled since 2018. This study provides a methodology to identify and examine TGD patients in other health systems and offers insights into emerging trends and access to gender-affirming care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany F. Ho
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Brian Zenger
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Bayarmaa Mark
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Laurel Hiatt
- Department of Human Genetics, Us1niversity of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Erika Sullivan
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Benjamin A. Steinberg
- Division of Cardiology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Ann Lyons
- Data Science Services, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Adam M. Spivak
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Cori Agarwal
- Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Marisa Adelman
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - James Hotaling
- Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Bernadette Kiraly
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Sharon Talboys
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
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Pouw N, van der Linden J, Teuben S, Kos S. Clinically Relevant Laboratory Monitoring of Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy in Transgender People-Experiences from a Teaching Hospital in the Netherlands. J Appl Lab Med 2024; 9:440-455. [PMID: 38452266 DOI: 10.1093/jalm/jfae006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transgender care is shifting from academic to nonacademic settings leading to use of common (immunoassay) compared to sophisticated (mass spectrometry) methods to monitor estradiol and testosterone during gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT). The type of assay can influence results and have significant implications for clinical decision making. An evidence gap is present in recommendations regarding the assay needed to monitor GAHT. The present study aimed to summarize current evidence and evaluate immunoassay estradiol and testosterone concentrations in transgender people visiting a nonacademic hospital for GAHT. METHODS Clinical practice guidelines on GAHT and scientific literature on assay methodologies were screened and summarized. Laboratory and medical data from 252 patients who visited the transgender outpatient clinic of the Maasstad Hospital for GAHT between 2020 and 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS Our research showed that the most used clinical practice guidelines for GAHT provide hormonal target values without recommending a preferred method. A comprehensive literature search on agreement between immunoassay and mass spectrometry showed substantial heterogeneity in results. Retrospective analysis of our immunoassay measured data in transgender people showed hormonal changes during GAHT that are to be expected from the medication used. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate that laboratory monitoring of GAHT in a nonacademic hospital can be done safely by immunoassay in most cases. Only in cases where clinical observation is discordant with the hormonal results do more sophisticated methods need to be deployed. A best practice model was proposed for transgender care in nonacademic hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Pouw
- Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry, MaasstadLab, Maasstad Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Joke van der Linden
- Department of Internal Medicine, Maasstad Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sonja Teuben
- Department of Internal Medicine, Maasstad Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Snježana Kos
- Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry, MaasstadLab, Maasstad Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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Becerra-Culqui T, Swiatek D, Dizon B, Getahun D, Silverberg M, Zhang Q, Im T, Goodman M. Challenging Norms: The Impact of Transgender and Gender-Diverse Realities on Work and School Participation. Am J Occup Ther 2024; 78:7803205150. [PMID: 38536733 PMCID: PMC11117465 DOI: 10.5014/ajot.2024.050485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Disruption in school and the workplace are health concerns for transgender people. OBJECTIVE To evaluate transgender individuals' thoughts and comfort with how others perceive their gender identity (social affirmation) and its association with outness in the workplace and mistreatment at work or school. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey. PARTICIPANTS Survey respondents older than age 18 yr from the Study of Transition, Outcomes & Gender cohort (N = 696; n = 350 assigned male at birth, n = 346 assigned female at birth [AFAB]). OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Ever "out" to employer and treated unfairly at work or school or fired from job. Predictors were high social affirmation and comfort with how others perceive own gender identity. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used for analyses. RESULTS Individuals reporting high social affirmation were less likely to experience mistreatment at work or school than those with low social affirmation (odds ratio [OR] = 0.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.38, 0.86]). Individuals AFAB who felt comfortable with how others perceived their gender identity were less likely to be out to their employers than individuals AFAB who did not (OR = 0.45; 95% CI [0.20, 0.97]). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Individuals with high social affirmation were less likely to experience work or school mistreatment, and feeling comfortable with how others perceive their gender identity did not signify the need to be out. Plain-Language Summary: Occupational therapy practitioners can play a pivotal role when working with transgender individuals by assisting in creating new routines for self-presentation at work or school, navigating social environments, and providing guidance in self-advocacy skills. Individuals assigned male at birth may be in greater need because they report lower levels of social affirmation and acceptance at school and work than individuals assigned female at birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy Becerra-Culqui
- Tracy Becerra-Culqui, PhD, MPH, OT/L, is Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, California State University Dominguez Hills, Carson;
| | - Daniel Swiatek
- Daniel Swiatek, OTD, OTR/L, is Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, California State University Dominguez Hills, Carson
| | - Bernadine Dizon
- Bernadine Dizon, MPH, is Research Associate IV, Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena
| | - Darios Getahun
- Darios Getahun, MD, PhD, MPH, is Research Scientist II, Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, and Associate Professor, Department of Health Systems Science, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena, CA
| | - Michael Silverberg
- Michael Silverberg, PhD, MPH, is Research Scientist, Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, and Professor, Department of Health Systems Science, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena, CA
| | - Qi Zhang
- Qi Zhang, MSPH, is PhD Student, Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Theresa Im
- Theresa Im, MPH, is Research Project Manager, Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena
| | - Michael Goodman
- Michael Goodman, MD, MPH, is Professor, Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
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Tople TL, Calderon T, Johnson SL. Epidemiology of Gender Diversity. Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am 2024; 36:137-142. [PMID: 38216350 DOI: 10.1016/j.coms.2023.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
In the United States, approximately 1.6 million individuals identify as transgender and gender diverse (TGD), encompassing a wide range of identities and experiences. Despite progress in visibility and acceptance, TGD people continue to face health care and societal disparities, especially affecting racial minorities. Although legal advancements have been achieved, the key to addressing these persistent health care disparities lies in implementing comprehensive and culturally sensitive health care practices and supportive policies. With a growing number of TGD people seeking gender-affirming care, it is imperative that health care practitioners understand the unique challenges faced by this community and provide tailored services with sensitivity and expertise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tannon L Tople
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Twin Cities Medical School, 420 Delaware Street Southeast, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Thais Calderon
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Washington Medical Center, 325 9th Avenue, Box 359796, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
| | - Sean L Johnson
- Office of Healthcare Equity, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 Northeast Pacific Street, F-Wing, Seattle, WA, USA
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Sanchez Figueroa N, Kuruoglu D, Fahradyan V, Tran N, Sharaf B, Martínez-Jorge J. Feminizing Gender Affirming Breast Surgery: Procedural Outcomes at a Single Academic Institution. Aesthet Surg J Open Forum 2024; 6:ojae032. [PMID: 38813116 PMCID: PMC11134292 DOI: 10.1093/asjof/ojae032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Implant-based breast augmentation is a gold standard procedure for transfeminine patients to create a more feminine-appearing chest. In many cases, ancillary procedures are performed simultaneously to achieve an optimal aesthetic result. Objectives To determine the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing feminizing gender-affirming breast surgery in a single academic institution. Methods A retrospective electronic chart review of feminizing gender-affirming breast surgery patients at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, from 2017 to 2022 was conducted. Patients' demographics and surgical outcomes were gathered. A survival analysis was performed to obtain the time-to-event complication rate. Results Over 5 years, 46 patients (92 breasts) were included. The mean age was 39 years (standard deviation [SD] ±15), and most had an above-normal body mass index (BMI) (58.7%). Thirty (65%) had previous gender-affirming surgeries. The mean implant volume was 289 mL (SD ±95; 140-520). Most implants were placed in a subglandular plane (81%) with an inframammary fold incision (91.3%). All implants used were smooth, round cohesive silicone gel implants. Ancillary procedures were performed in 32 patients (69.57%). Eight patients presented complications (4 major vs 4 minor) in a median postoperative follow-up of 372 vs 392 days; at 1-month follow-up, the probability of a complication having occurred is 2.17% (95% CI: 0%-6.3%) vs 5% (95% CI: 0%-11.5%), and at 1 year, the probability is 10.21% (95% CI: 0%-20.9%) vs 12.5% (95% CI: 0%-23.4%), which remains the same up to 4 years. Conclusions Breast augmentation with implants is a safe procedure to achieve feminization of the breast with a low rate of complications. Level of Evidence 4
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Jorys Martínez-Jorge
- Corresponding Author: Dr Jorys Martinez-Jorge, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. E-mail:
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Henderson ER, Boyer TL, Wolfe HL, Blosnich JR. Causes of Death of Transgender and Gender Diverse Veterans. Am J Prev Med 2024; 66:664-671. [PMID: 37979623 PMCID: PMC10957325 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2023.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) veterans face numerous challenges due to stigma and marginalization, which have a significant impact on their health and well-being. However, there is insufficient data on cause-specific mortality in TGD veteran populations in the U.S. The purpose of this study was to describe the leading causes of death in a sample of TGD veterans who received care from the Veterans Health Administration. METHODS A secondary data analysis was conducted using Veterans Health Administration electronic health record data matched with death certificate records from the National Death Index from October 1, 1999 to December 31, 2019. Using record axis codes from National Death Index data, the 25 most frequent underlying and all causes of death were summarized. RESULTS Deaths occurred in 1,415 TGD veterans. Ranking by any mention on the death certificate, mental and behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance use (17.2%), conduction disorders and cardiac dysrhythmias (15.3%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (15.1%), diabetes mellitus (13.9%), and chronic ischemic heart disease (13.3%) were the top five causes of death. Three distinct methods of suicide appeared as the 7th (firearms), 17th (self-poisoning), and 24th (hanging) underlying causes of death for TGD veterans. CONCLUSIONS Targeted prevention efforts or interventions to reduce the frequency and severity of causes of death, particularly mental and behavioral health disorders and metabolic disorders, could prevent premature mortality among TGD adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmett R Henderson
- Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
| | - Taylor L Boyer
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Hill L Wolfe
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Pain Research, Informatics, Multi-morbidities, and Education (PRIME) Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut; The Yale Center for Medical Informatics (YCMI), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - John R Blosnich
- Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Davy Z, Benson J, Barras A. Shared care and gender identity support in Primary Care: The perspectives and experiences of parents/carers of young trans people. Health (London) 2024; 28:235-252. [PMID: 36433767 PMCID: PMC10900856 DOI: 10.1177/13634593221138616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
This article addresses the complex issues surrounding trans youths' shared care perceived by parents in primary care settings in the UK. The analyses in this article draws on qualitative data derived from an online survey of 153 parents with trans children. Through the conceptual framework of healthcare assemblages, findings suggest that quality shared care for trans youth is based upon transient service relationships inherent in their healthcare-primary care, gender identity services, endocrinologists, and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAHMS)-and, as such, this complexity must be understood better by GPs in order for quality shared care to be administered. We explored various blockages to quality shared care within primary care surgeries that produced limit situations, such as lack of knowledge, training, or experience with trans healthcare. One other key factor was that there were strong external forces that were limiting trans youths' quality shared care in the form of abject depictions from beyond the consultation, which all produced negative effects. Despite these blockages, we also demonstrate how and where quality shared care is received. For instance, we show that continuity of care or treatment after an initial diagnosis or assessment contributes to quality shared care as too does personalized care to those youths receiving it. Overall, this research provides insights into the complex perceptions of parents about what quality shared care is and ought to be for trans youth.
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van Zijverden LM, Wiepjes CM, van Diemen JJK, Thijs A, den Heijer M. Cardiovascular disease in transgender people: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Endocrinol 2024; 190:S13-S24. [PMID: 38302717 DOI: 10.1093/ejendo/lvad170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hormone therapy in transgender people might be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to investigate whether the risk of CVD is increased in transgender people compared with people of the same birth sex. DESIGN AND METHODS PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Google Scholar were searched until July 2022. Studies evaluating cardiovascular events in transgender women or men were included. Primary outcomes were stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), and venous thromboembolism (VTE). The risk for transgender women versus cisgender men and for transgender men versus cisgender women was analysed through random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS Twenty-two studies involving 19 893 transgender women, 14 840 transgender men, 371 547 cisgender men, and 434 700 cisgender women were included. The meta-analysis included 10 studies (79% of transgender women and 76% of transgender men). In transgender women, incidence of stroke was 1.8%, which is 1.3 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-1.8) times higher than in cisgender men. Incidence of MI was 1.2%, with a pooled relative risk of 1.0 (95% CI, 0.8-1.2). Venous thromboembolism incidence was 1.6%, which is 2.2 (95% CI, 1.1-4.5) times higher. Stroke occurred in 0.8% of transgender men, which is 1.3 (95% CI, 1.0-1.6) times higher compared with cisgender women. Incidence of MI was 0.6%, with a pooled relative risk of 1.7 (95% CI, 0.8-3.6). For VTE, this was 0.7%, being 1.4 (95% CI, 1.0-2.0) times higher. CONCLUSIONS Transgender people have a 40% higher risk of CVD compared with cisgender people of the same birth sex. This emphasizes the importance of cardiovascular risk management. Future studies should assess the potential influence of socio-economic and lifestyle factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lieve Mees van Zijverden
- Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam 1081HV, The Netherlands
- Centre of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam,De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam 1081HV, The Netherlands
| | - Chantal Maria Wiepjes
- Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam 1081HV, The Netherlands
- Centre of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam,De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam 1081HV, The Netherlands
| | - Jeske Joanna Katarina van Diemen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam 1081HV, The Netherlands
| | - Abel Thijs
- Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam 1081HV, The Netherlands
| | - Martin den Heijer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam 1081HV, The Netherlands
- Centre of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam,De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam 1081HV, The Netherlands
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11
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Rose G, Goalen S, Clark M, Madill S. Identifying a Cohort of People Who Are Transgender and Gender-Diverse Within Saskatchewan's Administrative Health Databases. Health Serv Insights 2024; 17:11786329231222122. [PMID: 38223213 PMCID: PMC10785721 DOI: 10.1177/11786329231222122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
This was a retrospective cohort study. Algorithms were developed to identify a cohort of people who were trans and gender diverse (PTGD) among provincial-level administrative health databases (physician, hospital, emergency department, and pharmacy) from April 1, 2012 to September 30, 2020. Then, healthcare usage was compared between the identified cohort and the general population. There were 6466 unique individuals identified in the cohort, out of a total population of 1.2 million Saskatchewan residents (~0.5%). They had a mean age of 42.5 (SD 17.7) years. 1946 (30.1%) had a female sex marker and 4560 (69.9%) had a male sex marker, which may not indicate their lived gender. The cohort had increased healthcare usage 2 years prior to their index date, compared to the general population, which continued to rise to 1 year past their index date across physician, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations. The results for drugs were mixed. The percentage of PTGD identified in Saskatchewan was comparable to other studies. Healthcare utilization among the cohort was higher than the general population. Further research could use external data sources to validate and improve the cohort identification methods. The large majority of individuals with a male sex marker deserves further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwen Rose
- College of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | | | - Megan Clark
- Academic Family Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - Stéphanie Madill
- College of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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12
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McKechnie DGJ, O'Nions E, Bailey J, Hobbs L, Gillespie F, Petersen I. Transgender identity in young people and adults recorded in UK primary care electronic patient records: retrospective, dynamic, cohort study. BMJ MEDICINE 2023; 2:e000499. [PMID: 38034075 PMCID: PMC10685922 DOI: 10.1136/bmjmed-2023-000499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Objectives To quantify the change in proportion of young people and adults identified as transgender in UK primary care records and to explore whether rates differ by age and socioeconomic deprivation. Design Retrospective, dynamic, cohort study. Setting IQVIA Medical Research Data, a database of electronic primary care records capturing data from 649 primary care practices in the UK between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2018. Participants 7 064 829 individuals aged 10-99 years, in all four UK countries. Main outcome measures Diagnostic codes indicative of transgender identity were used. Sex assigned at birth was estimated by use of masculinising or feminising medication and procedural/diagnostic codes. Results 2462 (0.03%) individuals had a record code indicating a transgender identity. Direction of transition could be estimated for 1340 (54%) people, of which 923 were assigned male at birth, and 417 were assigned female at birth. Rates of recording in age groups diverged substantially after 2010. Rates of the first recording of codes were highest in ages 16-17 years (between 2010 and 2018: 24.51/100 000 person years (95% confidence interval 20.95 to 28.50)). Transgender codes were associated with deprivation: the rate of the first recording was 1.59 (95% confidence interval 1.31 to 1.92) in the most deprived group in comparison with the least deprived group. Additionally, the rate ratio of the proportion of people who identified as transgender was 2.45 (95% confidence interval 2.28 to 2.65) in the most deprived group compared with the least deprived group. Substantial increases were noted in newly recorded transgender codes over time in all age groups (1.45/100 000 person years in 2000 (95% confidence interval 0.96 to 2.10) to 7.81/100 000 person years in 2018 (6.57 to 9.22)). In 2018, the proportion of people with transgender identity codes was highest in the age groups 16-17 years (16.23 per 10 000 (95% confidence interval 12.60 to 20.57)) and 18-29 years (12.42 per 10 000 (11.06 to 13.90)). Conclusion The rate of transgender identity recorded in primary care records has increased fivefold from 2000 to 2018 and is highest in the 16-17 and 18-29 age groups. Transgender diagnostic coding is associated with socioeconomic deprivation and further work should investigate this association. Primary and specialist care should be commissioned accordingly to provide for the gender specific and general health needs of transgender people.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elizabeth O'Nions
- Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Julia Bailey
- Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Lorna Hobbs
- Gender Identity Development Service, Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Irene Petersen
- Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University College London, London, UK
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13
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Hua Y, Wang L, Nguyen V, Rieu-Werden M, McDowell A, Bates DW, Foer D, Zhou L. A deep learning approach for transgender and gender diverse patient identification in electronic health records. J Biomed Inform 2023; 147:104507. [PMID: 37778672 PMCID: PMC10687838 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbi.2023.104507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although accurate identification of gender identity in the electronic health record (EHR) is crucial for providing equitable health care, particularly for transgender and gender diverse (TGD) populations, it remains a challenging task due to incomplete gender information in structured EHR fields. OBJECTIVE Using TGD identification as a case study, this research uses NLP and deep learning to build an accurate patient gender identity predictive model, aiming to tackle the challenges of identifying relevant patient-level information from EHR data and reducing annotation work. METHODS This study included adult patients in a large healthcare system in Boston, MA, between 4/1/2017 to 4/1/2022. To identify relevant information from massive clinical notes, we compiled a list of gender-related keywords through expert curation, literature review, and expansion via a fine-tuned BioWordVec model. This keyword list was used to pre-screen potential TGD individuals and create two datasets for model training, testing, and validation. Dataset I was a balanced dataset that contained clinician-confirmed TGD patients and cases without keywords. Dataset II contained cases with keywords. The performance of the deep learning model was compared to traditional machine learning and rule-based algorithms. RESULTS The final keyword list consists of 109 keywords, of which 58 (53.2%) were expanded by the BioWordVec model. Dataset I contained 3,150 patients (50% TGD) while Dataset II contained 200 patients (90% TGD). On Dataset I the deep learning model achieved a F1 score of 0.917, sensitivity of 0.854, and a precision of 0.980; and on Dataset II a F1 score of 0.969, sensitivity of 0.967, and precision of 0.972. The deep learning model significantly outperformed rule-based algorithms. CONCLUSION This is the first study to show that deep learning-integrated NLP algorithms can accurately identify gender identity using EHR data. Future work should leverage and evaluate additional diverse data sources to generate more generalizable algorithms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yining Hua
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Liqin Wang
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Vi Nguyen
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Meghan Rieu-Werden
- Division of General Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Alex McDowell
- Health Policy Research Institute, Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - David W Bates
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Dinah Foer
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, USA.
| | - Li Zhou
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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14
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Wong CN, Wilczek MP, Smith LH, Bosse JD, Richard EL, Cavanaugh R, Manjourides J, Orkaby AR, Olivieri-Mui B. Frailty Among Sexual and Gender Minority Older Adults: The All of Us Database. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2023; 78:2111-2118. [PMID: 37485864 PMCID: PMC10613018 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glad149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite known disparities in health status among older sexual and gender minority adults (OSGM), the prevalence of frailty is unknown. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a deficit-accumulation frailty index (AoU-FI) for the All of Us database to describe and compare frailty between OSGM and non-OSGM participants. METHODS Developed using a standardized approach, the AoU-FI consists of 33 deficits from baseline survey responses of adults aged 50+. OSGM were self-reported as "not straight" or as having discordant gender and sex assigned at birth. Descriptive statistics characterized the AoU-FI. Regression was used to assess the association between frailty, age, and gender. Validation of the AoU-FI used Cox proportional hazard models to test the association between frailty categories (robust <0.15, 0.15 ≤ pre-frail ≤ 0.25, frail >0.25) and mortality. RESULTS There were 9 110 OSGM and 67 420 non-OSGM with sufficient data to calculate AoU-FI; 41% OSGM versus 50% non-OSGM were robust, whereas 34% versus 32% were pre-frail, and 26% versus 19% were frail. Mean AoU-FI was 0.19 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.187, 0.191) for OSGM and 0.168 (95% CI: 0.167, 0.169) for non-OSGM. Compared to robust, odds of mortality were higher among frail OSGM (odds ratio [OR] 6.40; 95% CI: 1.84, 22.23) and non-OSGM (OR 3.96; 95% CI: 2.96, 5.29). CONCLUSIONS The AoU-FI identified a higher burden of frailty, increased risk of mortality, and an attenuated impact of age on frailty among OSGM compared to non-OSGM. Future work is needed to understand how frailty affects the OSGM population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea N Wong
- Division of Gerontology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Louisa H Smith
- Roux Institute, Northeastern University, Portland, Maine, USA
- Department of Health Sciences, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jordon D Bosse
- School of Nursing, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Erin L Richard
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | | | - Justin Manjourides
- Roux Institute, Northeastern University, Portland, Maine, USA
- Department of Health Sciences, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ariela R Orkaby
- New England Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Aging, Department of Medicine, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brianne Olivieri-Mui
- Roux Institute, Northeastern University, Portland, Maine, USA
- Department of Health Sciences, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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15
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Godiwala P, Uliasz TF, Lowther KM, Kaback D, Mehlmann LM. Puberty Suppression Followed by Testosterone Therapy Does Not Impair Reproductive Potential in Female Mice. Endocrinology 2023; 164:bqad145. [PMID: 37768169 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
More adolescents are coming out as transgender each year and are put on puberty blockers to suppress natal puberty, which is then followed by cross-hormone treatment to achieve puberty of the desired gender. Studies to examine the effects of puberty suppression and virilizing therapy on future reproductive potential among transgender males are lacking. This study used a translational murine in vitro fertilization model to examine the effects of female puberty suppression with depot leuprolide acetate (LA), followed by virilizing therapy with testosterone cypionate (T), on embryologic and pregnancy outcomes. LA effectively inhibited puberty when mice were treated beginning at 3 weeks of age. LA treatment was associated with higher mouse weight but lower ovarian weight. LA-treated mice ovulated developmentally competent eggs in response to gonadotropin administration, albeit at a higher dose than controls. Ovaries from mice treated with LA and T produced oocytes that had morphologically normal meiotic spindles after in vitro maturation and responded to gonadotropin stimulation. Eggs from mice treated with LA and T were fertilizable and produced developmentally competent embryos that led to births of fertile pups. These results suggest that fertility may not be impaired after puberty suppression and cross-hormone therapy for transgender males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prachi Godiwala
- Department of Cell Biology, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
- Center for Advanced Reproductive Services, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Tracy F Uliasz
- Department of Cell Biology, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Katie M Lowther
- Department of Cell Biology, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Deborah Kaback
- Department of Cell Biology, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Lisa M Mehlmann
- Department of Cell Biology, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
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16
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Miraclin T A, Prasad JD, Ninan GA, Gowri M, Bal D, Shaikh AIA, Benjamin RN, Prabhakar AT, Sivadasan A, Mathew V, Aaron S. Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis: changing trends in the incidence, age and gender (findings from the CMC Vellore CVT registry). Stroke Vasc Neurol 2023:svn-2023-002351. [PMID: 37612053 DOI: 10.1136/svn-2023-002351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVT) registries from various geographical regions indicate that female gender, the use of contraceptive pills, pregnancy and puerperium are important risk factors. In this study, we report the changes in the epidemiology of patients with CVT managed over the past 26 years. METHODS The CMC Vellore CVT registry is a prospectively maintained database at the Christian Medical College, Vellore since January 1995. Stata software was used to analyse the data and assess the changes in the incidence, age and gender distribution over the previous 26 years. RESULTS Among 1701 patients treated during the study period, 908 (53%) were women and 793 (47%) were men. The mean incidence of CVT was 49 per 100 000 admissions before 2010, which increased to 96 per 100 000 after 2010. Male gender had a higher odds of developing CVT (OR - 2.07 (CI 1.68 to 2.55, p<0.001). This could be attributed to the declining incidence of postpartum CVT after 2010 compared with the decade before 2010 (50% vs 20%). The mean age at presentation had increased from 24.5 to 33.2 years in the last decade. CONCLUSIONS There was a clear change in the gender pattern from being a condition with female preponderance, to one where equal or more men are being affected. Lower incidence of postpartum CVT cases could be the driving factor. An increase in the overall incidence of CVT cases was noted, probably due to a higher index of clinical suspicion and better diagnostic imaging modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel Miraclin T
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - John Davis Prasad
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - George Abraham Ninan
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Mahasampath Gowri
- Department of Biostatistics, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Deepti Bal
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Rohit N Benjamin
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Ajith Sivadasan
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Vivek Mathew
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sanjith Aaron
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
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17
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Carrillo N, McGurran M, Melton BL, Moeller KE. Comparison of inpatient psychiatric medication management in gender diverse youth with cisgender peers. Ment Health Clin 2023; 13:169-175. [PMID: 37860590 PMCID: PMC10583259 DOI: 10.9740/mhc.2023.08.169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The primary objective was to determine if gender diverse (GD) youth receive different psychotropic prescribing compared with cisgender (CG) peers with the same diagnosis. Secondary objectives include evaluation of readmission rates and the effect of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) on psychiatric outcomes in transgender (TG) patients. Methods A total of 255 GD youth patients were retrospectively matched to CG controls based on age, primary discharge diagnosis, and year of admission. Data collection included psychotropic medications at admission and discharge, baseline demographics, time to readmission, and total number of readmissions within 6 months. Use of GAHT was also documented. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for continuous and χ2 for nominal data with an a priori α of 0.05. Results MDD was the primary discharge diagnosis in 74% of patients. GD youth were more likely to present on antidepressants (P = .031) and antipsychotics (P = .007), and to be discharged with antipsychotics (P = .003). They were additionally more likely to be readmitted within 30 days of discharge (P = .032). TG youth on GAHT (13%) had fewer readmissions (P = .046) than those not on GAHT, but there were no differences in psychotropic prescribing. Discussion Higher antipsychotic and antidepressant prescribing were seen in the GD population despite the same mental health diagnosis. Despite higher prescribing in the GD population, patients presented for readmission within 30 days more frequently, which may represent a need for more rigorous transitions-of-care practices in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Carrillo
- PGY2 Psychiatric Pharmacy Resident, University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Maren McGurran
- Advanced Practice Pharmacist–Psychiatry, University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Brittany L. Melton
- Associate Professor, Pharmacy Practice, University of Kansas School of Pharmacy, Lawrence, Kansas
| | - Karen E. Moeller
- (Corresponding author) Clinical Professor, Pharmacy Practice, University of Kansas School of Pharmacy, Lawrence, Kansas,
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18
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Nokoff NJ, Senefeld J, Krausz C, Hunter S, Joyner M. Sex Differences in Athletic Performance: Perspectives on Transgender Athletes. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 2023; 51:85-95. [PMID: 37057897 PMCID: PMC10330580 DOI: 10.1249/jes.0000000000000317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Sex hormone concentrations, particularly testosterone, are primary determinants of sex-based differences in athletic and sports performance, and this relationship may inform fair competition and participation for athletes. This article describes the sex-based dichotomy in testosterone and the implications for sex-based differences in individual sports performance, including factors that relate to athletic performance for transgender individuals, and areas of future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie J Nokoff
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
| | - Jonathon Senefeld
- Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine and Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Csilla Krausz
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Sandra Hunter
- Exercise Science Program, Department of Physical Therapy, and Athletic & Human Performance Research Center, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Michael Joyner
- Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine and Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
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19
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Pribish AM, Iwamoto SJ. Cardiovascular disease and feminizing gender-affirming hormone therapy: Implications for the provision of safe and lifesaving care. CURRENT OPINION IN PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 33:100650. [PMID: 36968433 PMCID: PMC10035588 DOI: 10.1016/j.cophys.2023.100650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Sex recorded at birth, gender identity, and feminizing gender-affirming hormone therapy (fGAHT) likely contribute to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in transgender women. Understanding the interplay of these factors is necessary for the provision of safe, affirming, and lifesaving care. Among transgender women taking fGAHT, data show increases in CVD mortality and rates of myocardial infarction, stroke, and venous thromboembolism compared to reference populations, depending on study design and comparators. However, most studies are observational with a paucity of contextualizing information (e.g., dosing, route of administration, gonadectomy status), which makes it difficult to parse adverse fGAHT effects from confounders and interaction with known CVD risk factors (e.g., obesity, smoking, psychosocial and gender minority stressors). Increased CVD risk in transgender women points toward a need for greater attention to CVD management in this population including cardiology referral when indicated and additional research on the mechanisms and mediators of CVD risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abby M. Pribish
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12631 East 17 Avenue, B130, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Sean J. Iwamoto
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12801 East 17 Avenue, Mail Stop: 8106, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Endocrinology Service, Medicine Service, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Eastern Colorado Health Care System, 1700 North Wheeling Street, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- UCHealth Integrated Transgender Program, 1635 Aurora Court, Anschutz Outpatient Pavilion, 6 Floor (Diabetes and Endocrinology Clinic), Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
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20
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Streed CG, King D, Grasso C, Reisner SL, Mayer KH, Jasuja GK, Poteat T, Mukherjee M, Shapira-Daniels A, Cabral H, Tangpricha V, Paasche-Orlow MK, Benjamin EJ. Validation of an administrative algorithm for transgender and gender diverse persons against self-report data in electronic health records. J Am Med Inform Assoc 2023; 30:1047-1055. [PMID: 36921287 PMCID: PMC10198536 DOI: 10.1093/jamia/ocad039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To adapt and validate an algorithm to ascertain transgender and gender diverse (TGD) patients within electronic health record (EHR) data. METHODS Using a previously unvalidated algorithm of identifying TGD persons within administrative claims data in a multistep, hierarchical process, we validated this algorithm in an EHR data set with self-reported gender identity. RESULTS Within an EHR data set of 52 746 adults with self-reported gender identity (gold standard) a previously unvalidated algorithm to identify TGD persons via TGD-related diagnosis and procedure codes, and gender-affirming hormone therapy prescription data had a sensitivity of 87.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 86.4-88.2), specificity of 98.7% (95% CI 98.6-98.8), positive predictive value (PPV) of 88.7% (95% CI 87.9-89.4), and negative predictive value (NPV) of 98.5% (95% CI 98.4-98.6). The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.930 (95% CI 0.925-0.935). Steps to further categorize patients as presumably TGD men versus women based on prescription data performed well: sensitivity of 97.6%, specificity of 92.7%, PPV of 93.2%, and NPV of 97.4%. The AUC was 0.95 (95% CI 0.94-0.96). CONCLUSIONS In the absence of self-reported gender identity data, an algorithm to identify TGD patients in administrative data using TGD-related diagnosis and procedure codes, and gender-affirming hormone prescriptions performs well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl G Streed
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Dana King
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Chris Grasso
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sari L Reisner
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kenneth H Mayer
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Guneet K Jasuja
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Healthcare Organization & Implementation Research, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tonia Poteat
- Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Monica Mukherjee
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Howard Cabral
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Vin Tangpricha
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Lipids, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Emelia J Benjamin
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Boston University's and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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21
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Pampati S, Dana Flanders W, Zhang Q, Ahmedani BK, Bhasin S, Getahun D, Lash TL, McCracken C, Sandberg DE, Silverberg MJ, Tangpricha V, Vupputuri S, Goodman M. Prevalence of self-inflicted injuries among transgender and gender diverse adolescents and young adults compared to their peers: an examination of interaction with mental health morbidity. Ann Epidemiol 2023; 81:40-46.e2. [PMID: 36907519 PMCID: PMC10424574 DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2023.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Compare occurrence of self-inflicted injuries among transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth to that of their cisgender peers while accounting for mental health diagnoses. METHODS Review of electronic health records from three integrated health care systems identified 1087 transfeminine and 1431 transmasculine adolescents and young adults. Poisson regression was used to calculate prevalence ratios comparing the proportion of TGD participants with at least one self-inflicted injury (a surrogate for suicide attempt) before index date (first evidence of TGD status) to the corresponding proportions in presumed cisgender male and female referents matched on age, race/ethnicity, and health plan. Interactions between gender identities and mental health diagnoses were assessed on multiplicative and additive scales. RESULTS TGD adolescents and young adults were more likely to have a self-inflicted injury, various mental health diagnoses, and multiple mental health diagnoses than their cisgender peers. The prevalence of self-inflicted injuries among TGD adolescents and young adults was high even in the absence of mental health diagnoses. Results were consistent with positive additive interaction and negative multiplicative interaction. CONCLUSIONS Universal suicide prevention efforts for all youth, including those with no mental health diagnoses, and more intensive suicide prevention efforts for TGD adolescents and young adults and those with at least one mental health diagnosis are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjana Pampati
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
| | - W Dana Flanders
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Brian K Ahmedani
- Center for Health Policy & Health Services Research, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI
| | - Shalender Bhasin
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Harvard School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Darios Getahun
- Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena; Department of Health Systems Science, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena, CA
| | - Timothy L Lash
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | | | - David E Sandberg
- Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor
| | | | - Vin Tangpricha
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipids, Department of Medicine, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; The Atlanta VA Medical Center, Atlanta, GA
| | - Suma Vupputuri
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlanta States, Rockville, MD
| | - Michael Goodman
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
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22
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Muzny CA, Van Gerwen OT, Schroeder JA, Kay-Duncan ES, Siwakoti K, Aaron KJ, Eastlund IC, Graves KJ, Elnaggar JH, Tamhane A, Long D, Van Wagoner N, Toh E, Taylor CM. Impact of testosterone use on the vaginal microbiota of transgender men, including susceptibility to bacterial vaginosis: study protocol for a prospective, observational study. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e073068. [PMID: 36972958 PMCID: PMC10069580 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-073068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The effect of testosterone (T) therapy on the vaginal microbiota of transgender men (TGM) is not well characterised, although one cross-sectional study comparing the vaginal microbiota of cisgender women to TGM on T≥1 year found that, in 71% of the TGM, the vaginal microbiota was less likely to be Lactobacillus-dominated and more likely to be enriched with >30 other bacterial species, many associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV). This prospective study aims to investigate changes in the composition of the vaginal microbiota over time in TGM who retain their natal genitalia (ie, vagina) and initiate T. In addition, we will identify changes in the vaginal microbiota preceding incident BV (iBV) in this cohort while investigating behavioural factors, along with hormonal shifts, which may be associated with iBV. METHODS AND ANALYSIS T-naïve TGM who have not undergone gender-affirming genital surgery with normal baseline vaginal microbiota (ie, no Amsel criteria, normal Nugent Score with no Gardnerella vaginalis morphotypes) will self-collect daily vaginal specimens for 7 days prior to initiating T and for 90 days thereafter. These specimens will be used for vaginal Gram stain, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and shotgun metagenomic sequencing to characterise shifts in the vaginal microbiota over time, including development of iBV. Participants will complete daily diaries on douching, menses and behavioural factors including sexual activity during the study. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This protocol is approved through the single Institutional Review Board mechanism by the University of Alabama at Birmingham. External relying sites are the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans Human Research Protection Program and the Indiana University Human Research Protection Program. Study findings will be presented at scientific conferences and peer-reviewed journals as well as shared with community advisory boards at participating gender health clinics and community-based organisations servicing transgender people. REGISTRATION DETAILS Protocol # IRB-300008073.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina A Muzny
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Olivia T Van Gerwen
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Julia A Schroeder
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | | | - Krishmita Siwakoti
- Division of Endocrinology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Kristal J Aaron
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Isaac C Eastlund
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Keonte J Graves
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Jacob H Elnaggar
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Ashutosh Tamhane
- Division of Nephrology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Dustin Long
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Nicholas Van Wagoner
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Evelyn Toh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Christopher M Taylor
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
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23
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Jasuja GK, Reisman JI, Rao SR, Wolfe HL, Hughto JMW, Reisner SL, Shipherd JC. Social Stressors and Health Among Older Transgender and Gender Diverse Veterans. LGBT Health 2023; 10:148-157. [PMID: 36454239 PMCID: PMC10081710 DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2022.0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Health disparities in transgender and gender diverse (TGD) veterans compared with cisgender veterans have been documented. However, there is a paucity of literature focused on older TGD veterans. We assessed health conditions and social stressors in older TGD veterans compared with matched cisgender veterans. Methods: Using gender identity disorder diagnosis codes, we identified 1244 TGD veterans (65+ years of age) receiving care in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) from 2006 to 2018. These TGD veterans were then matched to 3732 cisgender veterans based on age, VHA site, and date of care in VHA. Results: In adjusted models, TGD veterans compared with cisgender veterans were less likely to have alcohol use disorder (adjusted odds ratio [AOR; 95% confidence interval]: [0.70; 0.58-0.85]), drug use disorder (0.59; 0.47-0.74), tobacco use (0.75; 0.65-0.86), and anxiety (0.74; 0.62-0.90). However, compared with cisgender veterans, TGD veterans were more likely to experience depression (1.63; 1.39-1.93), Alzheimer's disease (8.95; 4.25-18.83), cancer (1.83; 1.56-2.14), violence (1.82; 1.14-2.91), social/familial problems (2.45; 1.99-3.02), lack of access to care/transportation (2.23; 1.48-3.37), and military sexual trauma (2.59; 1.93-3.46). Furthermore, compared with cisgender veterans, TGD veterans were more likely to have documentation of a higher count of social stressors: 1 or more stressors (1.64; 1.38-1.95) and 2 or more stressors (1.22; 1.01-1.49). Conclusion: Despite significant disparities in social stressors and health conditions compared with cisgender veterans, TGD veterans had a lower likelihood of substance use and anxiety. Interventions are needed to mitigate social stressors and improve health among the older TGD veteran population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guneet K Jasuja
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, Massachusetts, USA.,Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joel I Reisman
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sowmya R Rao
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hill L Wolfe
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jaclyn M W Hughto
- Departments of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.,Center for Health Promotion and Health Equity, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.,The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sari L Reisner
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,General Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jillian C Shipherd
- National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,LGBTQ+ Health Program, Office of Patient Care Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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24
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Iwamoto SJ, Defreyne J, Kaoutzanis C, Davies RD, Moreau KL, Rothman MS. Gender-affirming hormone therapy, mental health, and surgical considerations for aging transgender and gender diverse adults. Ther Adv Endocrinol Metab 2023; 14:20420188231166494. [PMID: 37113210 PMCID: PMC10126651 DOI: 10.1177/20420188231166494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
As the transgender and gender diverse (TGD) population ages, more transfeminine and transmasculine individuals present to clinic to initiate or continue their gender-affirming care at older ages. Currently available guidelines on gender-affirming care are excellent resources for the provision of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), primary care, surgery, and mental health care but are limited in their scope as to whether recommendations require tailoring to older TGD adults. Data that inform guideline-recommended management considerations, while informative and increasingly evidence-based, mainly come from studies of younger TGD populations. Whether results from these studies, and therefore recommendations, can or should be extrapolated to aging TGD adults remains to be determined. In this perspective review, we acknowledge the lack of data in older TGD adults and discuss considerations for evaluating cardiovascular disease, hormone-sensitive cancers, bone health and cognitive health, gender-affirming surgery, and mental health in the older TGD population on GAHT.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Justine Defreyne
- Department of Endocrinology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christodoulos Kaoutzanis
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- UCHealth Integrated Transgender Program – Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Robert D. Davies
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- CUMedicine LGBTQ Mental Health Clinic, University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora, CO, USA
- UCHealth Integrated Transgender Program – Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Kerrie L. Moreau
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Eastern Colorado Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Micol S. Rothman
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- UCHealth Integrated Transgender Program – Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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Hughto JMW, Varma H, Babbs G, Yee K, Alpert A, Hughes L, Ellison J, Downing J, Shireman TI. Disparities in health condition diagnoses among aging transgender and cisgender medicare beneficiaries, 2008-2017. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1102348. [PMID: 36992801 PMCID: PMC10040837 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1102348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The objective of this research is to provide national estimates of the prevalence of health condition diagnoses among age-entitled transgender and cisgender Medicare beneficiaries. Quantification of the health burden across sex assigned at birth and gender can inform prevention, research, and allocation of funding for modifiable risk factors. METHODS Using 2009-2017 Medicare fee-for-service data, we implemented an algorithm that leverages diagnosis, procedure, and pharmacy claims to identify age-entitled transgender Medicare beneficiaries and stratify the sample by inferred gender: trans feminine and nonbinary (TFN), trans masculine and nonbinary (TMN), and unclassified. We selected a 5% random sample of cisgender individuals for comparison. We descriptively analyzed (means and frequencies) demographic characteristics (age, race/ethnicity, US census region, months of enrollment) and used chi-square and t-tests to determine between- (transgender vs. cisgender) and within-group gender differences (e.g., TMN, TFN, unclassified) difference in demographics (p<0.05). We then used logistic regression to estimate and examine within- and between-group gender differences in the predicted probability of 25 health conditions, controlling for age, race/ethnicity, enrollment length, and census region. RESULTS The analytic sample included 9,975 transgender (TFN n=4,198; TMN n=2,762; unclassified n=3,015) and 2,961,636 cisgender (male n=1,294,690, female n=1,666,946) beneficiaries. The majority of the transgender and cisgender samples were between the ages of 65 and 69 and White, non-Hispanic. The largest proportion of transgender and cisgender beneficiaries were from the South. On average, transgender individuals had more months of enrollment than cisgender individuals. In adjusted models, aging TFN or TMN Medicare beneficiaries had the highest probability of each of the 25 health diagnoses studied relative to cisgender males or females. TFN beneficiaries had the highest burden of health diagnoses relative to all other groups. DISCUSSION These findings document disparities in key health condition diagnoses among transgender Medicare beneficiaries relative to cisgender individuals. Future application of these methods will enable the study of rare and anatomy-specific conditions among hard-to-reach aging transgender populations and inform interventions and policies to address documented disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaclyn M. W. Hughto
- Center for Health Promotion and Health Equity, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States
- Departments of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Jaclyn M. W. Hughto,
| | - Hiren Varma
- Center for Gerontology & Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States
- Department of Health Services Policy & Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Gray Babbs
- Center for Gerontology & Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States
- Department of Health Services Policy & Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Kim Yee
- Oregon Health & Science University - Portland State University School of Public Health, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Ash Alpert
- Center for Gerontology & Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States
- Department of Health Services Policy & Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Landon Hughes
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Jacqueline Ellison
- Department of Health Policy and Management, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Center for Innovative Research on Gender Health Equity (CONVERGE), University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jae Downing
- Oregon Health & Science University - Portland State University School of Public Health, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Theresa I. Shireman
- Center for Gerontology & Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States
- Department of Health Services Policy & Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States
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26
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Mazzoli F, Cassioli E, Ristori J, Castellini G, Rossi E, Cocchetti C, Romani A, Angotti T, Giovanardi G, Mosconi M, Lingiardi V, Speranza AM, Ricca V, Vignozzi L, Maggi M, Fisher AD. Apparent autistic traits in transgender people: a prospective study of the impact of gender-affirming hormonal treatment. J Endocrinol Invest 2022; 45:2059-2068. [PMID: 35779204 PMCID: PMC9525411 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-022-01835-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We evaluated differences in Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) scores between a sample of hormone-naïve transgender and cisgender people and the impact of gender-affirming hormonal treatment (GAHT) on AQ scores across time. Furthermore, we assessed alexithymia and social anxiety as possible mediators of changes in AQ scores. METHODS A cross-sectional comparison between cisgender and transgender people before GAHT and a prospective study on the effects of GAHT over time were performed. Transgender and cisgender people completed several psychometric tests. A total sample of 789 persons (n = 229 cismen; n = 172 ciswomen; n = 206 transmen; n = 182 transwomen) referring to the Florence and Rome Gender Clinics between 2018 and 2020 was enrolled. Of these, 62 participants referring to the Florence Gender Clinic were evaluated in a prospective study at baseline and 12 months after GAHT. RESULTS Groups showed significant differences in terms of autistic traits: ciswomen showed lower scores of AQ, while cismen reported higher scores of AQ than all other groups. Transgender individuals showed significant higher levels of Gender Dysphoria (GD), body uneasiness, alexithymia and social anxiety, compared to cisgender ones. No significant differences in general psychopathology were found between groups. Across time, transmen and transwomen showed a significant reduction in AQ scores. The decrease in alexithymia and social anxiety after GAHT did not predict the change in AQ scores. CONCLUSIONS The autistic traits in our sample may represent an epiphenomenon of GD rather than being part of an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) condition, since they significantly decreased after 12 months of GAHT.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Mazzoli
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence University Hospital, Florence, Italy
- Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - E Cassioli
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - J Ristori
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence University Hospital, Florence, Italy
- Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - G Castellini
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - E Rossi
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - C Cocchetti
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence University Hospital, Florence, Italy
- Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - A Romani
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence University Hospital, Florence, Italy
- Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - T Angotti
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence University Hospital, Florence, Italy
- Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - G Giovanardi
- Department of Dynamic and Clinic Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - M Mosconi
- Azienda Ospedaliera San Camillo Forlanini, Rome, Italy
| | - V Lingiardi
- Department of Dynamic and Clinic Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - A M Speranza
- Department of Dynamic and Clinic Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - V Ricca
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - L Vignozzi
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence University Hospital, Florence, Italy
- Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - M Maggi
- Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - A D Fisher
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence University Hospital, Florence, Italy.
- Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
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27
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Hughes LD, King WM, Gamarel KE, Geronimus AT, Panagiotou OA, Hughto JMW. US Black-White Differences in Mortality Risk Among Transgender and Cisgender People in Private Insurance, 2011-2019. Am J Public Health 2022; 112:1507-1514. [PMID: 35981277 PMCID: PMC9480456 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2022.306963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Objectives. To compare survival by gender and race among transgender and cisgender people enrolled in private insurance in the United States between 2011 and 2019. Methods. We examined Optum's Clinformatics Data Mart Database. We identified transgender enrollees using claims related to gender-affirming care. Our analytic sample included those we identified as transgender and a 10% random sample of cisgender enrollees. We limited our sample to those 18 years or older who were non-Hispanic Black or White. We identified 18 033 transgender and more than 4 million cisgender enrollees. We fit Kaplan-Meier survival curves and calculated standardized mortality ratios while adjusting for census region. Results. Black transfeminine and nonbinary people assigned male sex at birth were 2.73 times more likely to die than other Black transgender people and 2.38 and 3.34 times more likely than Black cisgender men and women, respectively; similar results were found when White transfeminine and nonbinary people assigned male sex at birth were compared with White cisgender cohorts. Conclusions. Our findings highlight glaring inequities in mortality risks among Black transfeminine and nonbinary people assigned male sex at birth and underscore the need to monitor mortality risks in transgender populations and address the social conditions that increase these risks. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(10):1507-1514. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.306963).
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Affiliation(s)
- Landon D Hughes
- Landon D. Hughes, Wesley M. King, Kristi E. Gamarel, and Arline T. Geronimus are with the School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and the Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan. Orestis A. Panagiotou and Jaclyn M. W. Hughto are with the School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Wesley M King
- Landon D. Hughes, Wesley M. King, Kristi E. Gamarel, and Arline T. Geronimus are with the School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and the Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan. Orestis A. Panagiotou and Jaclyn M. W. Hughto are with the School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Kristi E Gamarel
- Landon D. Hughes, Wesley M. King, Kristi E. Gamarel, and Arline T. Geronimus are with the School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and the Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan. Orestis A. Panagiotou and Jaclyn M. W. Hughto are with the School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Arline T Geronimus
- Landon D. Hughes, Wesley M. King, Kristi E. Gamarel, and Arline T. Geronimus are with the School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and the Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan. Orestis A. Panagiotou and Jaclyn M. W. Hughto are with the School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Orestis A Panagiotou
- Landon D. Hughes, Wesley M. King, Kristi E. Gamarel, and Arline T. Geronimus are with the School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and the Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan. Orestis A. Panagiotou and Jaclyn M. W. Hughto are with the School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Jaclyn M W Hughto
- Landon D. Hughes, Wesley M. King, Kristi E. Gamarel, and Arline T. Geronimus are with the School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and the Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan. Orestis A. Panagiotou and Jaclyn M. W. Hughto are with the School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI
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Valentine A, Davis S, Furniss A, Dowshen N, Kazak AE, Lewis C, Loeb DF, Nahata L, Pyle L, Schilling LM, Sequeira GM, Nokoff N. Multicenter Analysis of Cardiometabolic-related Diagnoses in Transgender and Gender-Diverse Youth: A PEDSnet Study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 107:e4004-e4014. [PMID: 35945152 PMCID: PMC9516032 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgac469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Studies on cardiometabolic health in transgender and gender-diverse youth (TGDY) are limited to small cohorts. OBJECTIVE This work aimed to determine the odds of cardiometabolic-related diagnoses in TGDY compared to matched controls in a cross-sectional analysis, using a large, multisite database (PEDSnet). METHODS Electronic health record data (2009-2019) were used to determine odds of cardiometabolic-related outcomes based on diagnosis, anthropometric, and laboratory data using logistic regression among TGDY youth vs controls. The association of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) with these outcomes was examined separately among TGDY. TGDY (n = 4172) were extracted from 6 PEDSnet sites and propensity-score matched on 8 variables to controls (n = 16 648). Main outcomes measures included odds of having cardiometabolic-related diagnoses among TGDY compared to matched controls, and among TGDY prescribed GAHT compared to those not prescribed GAHT. RESULTS In adjusted analyses, TGDY had higher odds of overweight/obesity (1.2; 95% CI, 1.1-1.3) than controls. TGDY with a testosterone prescription alone or in combination with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) had higher odds of dyslipidemia (1.7; 95% CI, 1.3-2.3 and 3.7; 95% CI, 2.1-6.7, respectively) and liver dysfunction (1.5; 95% CI, 1.1-1.9 and 2.5; 95% CI, 1.4-4.3) than TGDY not prescribed GAHT. TGDY with a testosterone prescription alone had higher odds of overweight/obesity (1.8; 95% CI, 1.5-2.1) and hypertension (1.6 95% CI, 1.2-2.2) than those not prescribed testosterone. Estradiol and GnRHa alone were not associated with greater odds of cardiometabolic-related diagnoses. CONCLUSION TGDY have increased odds of overweight/obesity compared to matched controls. Screening and tailored weight management, sensitive to the needs of TGDY, are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Valentine
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
- Children’s Hospital Colorado, Division of Endocrinology, Aurora, Colorado 80045USA
| | - Shanlee Davis
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
- Children’s Hospital Colorado, Division of Endocrinology, Aurora, Colorado 80045USA
| | - Anna Furniss
- University of Colorado Adult & Child Consortium for Health Outcomes Research and Delivery Sciences (ACCORDS), Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
| | - Nadia Dowshen
- University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Anne E Kazak
- Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA
| | - Christopher Lewis
- Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - Danielle F Loeb
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
| | - Leena Nahata
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Columbus, Ohio 43215, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio 43205, USA
| | - Laura Pyle
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
- University of Colorado School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
| | - Lisa M Schilling
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
- University of Colorado Data Science to Patient Value Initiative, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Gina M Sequeira
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington 98121, USA
| | - Natalie Nokoff
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
- Children’s Hospital Colorado, Division of Endocrinology, Aurora, Colorado 80045USA
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Goodman M, Yacoub R, Getahun D, McCracken CE, Vupputuri S, Lash TL, Roblin D, Contreras R, Cromwell L, Gardner MD, Hoffman T, Hu H, Im TM, Prakash Asrani R, Robinson B, Xie F, Nash R, Zhang Q, Bhai SA, Venkatakrishnan K, Stoller B, Liu Y, Gullickson C, Ahmed M, Rink D, Voss A, Jung HL, Kim J, Lee PA, Sandberg DE. Cohort profile: pathways to care among people with disorders of sex development (DSD). BMJ Open 2022; 12:e063409. [PMID: 36130763 PMCID: PMC9494584 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The 'DSD Pathways' study was initiated to assess health status and patterns of care among people enrolled in large integrated healthcare systems and diagnosed with conditions comprising the broad category of disorders (differences) of sex development (DSD). The objectives of this communication are to describe methods of cohort ascertainment for two specific DSD conditions-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia with 46,XX karyotype (46,XX CAH) and complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS). PARTICIPANTS Using electronic health records we developed an algorithm that combined diagnostic codes, clinical notes, laboratory data and pharmacy records to assign each cohort candidate a 'strength-of-evidence' score supporting the diagnosis of interest. A sample of cohort candidates underwent a review of the full medical record to determine the score cutoffs for final cohort validation. FINDINGS TO DATE Among 5404 classic 46,XX CAH cohort candidates the strength-of-evidence scores ranged between 0 and 10. Based on sample validation, the eligibility cut-off for full review was set at the strength-of-evidence score of ≥7 among children under the age of 8 years and ≥8 among older cohort candidates. The final validation of all cohort candidates who met the cut-off criteria identified 115 persons with classic 46,XX CAH. The strength-of-evidence scores among 648 CAIS cohort candidates ranged from 2 to 10. There were no confirmed CAIS cases among cohort candidates with scores <6. The in-depth medical record review for candidates with scores ≥6 identified 61 confirmed cases of CAIS. FUTURE PLANS As the first cohort of this type, the DSD Pathways study is well-positioned to fill existing knowledge gaps related to management and outcomes in this heterogeneous population. Analyses will examine diagnostic and referral patterns, adherence to care recommendations and physical and mental health morbidities examined through comparisons of DSD and reference populations and analyses of health status across DSD categories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Goodman
- Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Rami Yacoub
- Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Darios Getahun
- Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, California, USA
- Health Systems Science, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Courtney E McCracken
- Center for Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Georgia, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Suma Vupputuri
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Timothy L Lash
- Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Aarhus Universitet, Aarhus, Midtjylland, Denmark
| | - Douglas Roblin
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Richard Contreras
- Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Lee Cromwell
- Center for Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Georgia, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Melissa D Gardner
- Susan B Meister Child Health and Evaluation Research Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Trenton Hoffman
- Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Haihong Hu
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Theresa M Im
- Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, California, USA
| | | | - Brandi Robinson
- Center for Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Georgia, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Fagen Xie
- Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Rebecca Nash
- Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Qi Zhang
- Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Sadaf A Bhai
- Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Bethany Stoller
- Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Yijun Liu
- Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Maaz Ahmed
- Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - David Rink
- Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Ava Voss
- Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Hye-Lee Jung
- Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jin Kim
- Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Peter A Lee
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David E Sandberg
- Susan B Meister Child Health and Evaluation Research Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Non-uptake of HIV testing among trans men and trans women: cross-sectional study of client records from 2017 to 2019 in a community-based transgender health center in Metro Manila, Philippines. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1755. [PMID: 36114481 PMCID: PMC9479240 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14158-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Transgender individuals are considered at high risk of contracting HIV infection. Integrating HIV testing and counseling (HTC) services into current transgender health programs is necessary to increase its uptake. Our study aimed to describe the characteristics of trans men (TM) and trans women (TW) who accessed HTC services in a community-based transgender health center in Metro Manila, Philippines, and to examine the relationship between gender identity and their non-uptake of HIV testing. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of TM and TW seeking care from 2017 to 2019. Medical records of clients were reviewed to ascertain their age, gender identity, year and frequency of clinic visits, lifestyle factors, and non-uptake of HIV testing. The effect of gender identity on the non-uptake of HIV testing was estimated using a generalized linear model with Poisson distribution, log link function, and a robust variance, adjusted for confounding variables. Results Five hundred twenty-five clients were included in the study, of which about 82.3% (432/525) of the clients declined the HTC services being offered. In addition, the prevalence of non-uptake of HIV testing was 48% higher (Adjusted Prevalence Ratio: 1.48; 95% Confidence Interval: 1.31–1.67) among TM compared to TW. Approximately 3.7% (1/27) and 10.6% (7/66) of the TM and TW, respectively, who accessed the HTC services were reactive. Moreover, most reactive clients were on treatment 87.5% (7/8); three were already virally suppressed, four were on ART but not yet virally suppressed, and one TW client was lost to follow up. Conclusion The non-uptake of HTC service of TM and TW is high. HIV program implementers should strategize solutions to reach this vulnerable population for increased and better HTC service uptake and linkage to care.
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Coleman E, Radix AE, Bouman WP, Brown GR, de Vries ALC, Deutsch MB, Ettner R, Fraser L, Goodman M, Green J, Hancock AB, Johnson TW, Karasic DH, Knudson GA, Leibowitz SF, Meyer-Bahlburg HFL, Monstrey SJ, Motmans J, Nahata L, Nieder TO, Reisner SL, Richards C, Schechter LS, Tangpricha V, Tishelman AC, Van Trotsenburg MAA, Winter S, Ducheny K, Adams NJ, Adrián TM, Allen LR, Azul D, Bagga H, Başar K, Bathory DS, Belinky JJ, Berg DR, Berli JU, Bluebond-Langner RO, Bouman MB, Bowers ML, Brassard PJ, Byrne J, Capitán L, Cargill CJ, Carswell JM, Chang SC, Chelvakumar G, Corneil T, Dalke KB, De Cuypere G, de Vries E, Den Heijer M, Devor AH, Dhejne C, D'Marco A, Edmiston EK, Edwards-Leeper L, Ehrbar R, Ehrensaft D, Eisfeld J, Elaut E, Erickson-Schroth L, Feldman JL, Fisher AD, Garcia MM, Gijs L, Green SE, Hall BP, Hardy TLD, Irwig MS, Jacobs LA, Janssen AC, Johnson K, Klink DT, Kreukels BPC, Kuper LE, Kvach EJ, Malouf MA, Massey R, Mazur T, McLachlan C, Morrison SD, Mosser SW, Neira PM, Nygren U, Oates JM, Obedin-Maliver J, Pagkalos G, Patton J, Phanuphak N, Rachlin K, Reed T, Rider GN, Ristori J, Robbins-Cherry S, Roberts SA, Rodriguez-Wallberg KA, Rosenthal SM, Sabir K, Safer JD, Scheim AI, Seal LJ, Sehoole TJ, Spencer K, St Amand C, Steensma TD, Strang JF, Taylor GB, Tilleman K, T'Sjoen GG, Vala LN, Van Mello NM, Veale JF, Vencill JA, Vincent B, Wesp LM, West MA, Arcelus J. Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People, Version 8. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TRANSGENDER HEALTH 2022; 23:S1-S259. [PMID: 36238954 PMCID: PMC9553112 DOI: 10.1080/26895269.2022.2100644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 525] [Impact Index Per Article: 262.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Background: Transgender healthcare is a rapidly evolving interdisciplinary field. In the last decade, there has been an unprecedented increase in the number and visibility of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people seeking support and gender-affirming medical treatment in parallel with a significant rise in the scientific literature in this area. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) is an international, multidisciplinary, professional association whose mission is to promote evidence-based care, education, research, public policy, and respect in transgender health. One of the main functions of WPATH is to promote the highest standards of health care for TGD people through the Standards of Care (SOC). The SOC was initially developed in 1979 and the last version (SOC-7) was published in 2012. In view of the increasing scientific evidence, WPATH commissioned a new version of the Standards of Care, the SOC-8. Aim: The overall goal of SOC-8 is to provide health care professionals (HCPs) with clinical guidance to assist TGD people in accessing safe and effective pathways to achieving lasting personal comfort with their gendered selves with the aim of optimizing their overall physical health, psychological well-being, and self-fulfillment. Methods: The SOC-8 is based on the best available science and expert professional consensus in transgender health. International professionals and stakeholders were selected to serve on the SOC-8 committee. Recommendation statements were developed based on data derived from independent systematic literature reviews, where available, background reviews and expert opinions. Grading of recommendations was based on the available evidence supporting interventions, a discussion of risks and harms, as well as the feasibility and acceptability within different contexts and country settings. Results: A total of 18 chapters were developed as part of the SOC-8. They contain recommendations for health care professionals who provide care and treatment for TGD people. Each of the recommendations is followed by explanatory text with relevant references. General areas related to transgender health are covered in the chapters Terminology, Global Applicability, Population Estimates, and Education. The chapters developed for the diverse population of TGD people include Assessment of Adults, Adolescents, Children, Nonbinary, Eunuchs, and Intersex Individuals, and people living in Institutional Environments. Finally, the chapters related to gender-affirming treatment are Hormone Therapy, Surgery and Postoperative Care, Voice and Communication, Primary Care, Reproductive Health, Sexual Health, and Mental Health. Conclusions: The SOC-8 guidelines are intended to be flexible to meet the diverse health care needs of TGD people globally. While adaptable, they offer standards for promoting optimal health care and guidance for the treatment of people experiencing gender incongruence. As in all previous versions of the SOC, the criteria set forth in this document for gender-affirming medical interventions are clinical guidelines; individual health care professionals and programs may modify these in consultation with the TGD person.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Coleman
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Health, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - A E Radix
- Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - W P Bouman
- Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health, Nottingham, UK
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - G R Brown
- James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA
- James H. Quillen VAMC, Johnson City, TN, USA
| | - A L C de Vries
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - M B Deutsch
- Department of Family & Community Medicine, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- UCSF Gender Affirming Health Program, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - R Ettner
- New Health Foundation Worldwide, Evanston, IL, USA
- Weiss Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - L Fraser
- Independent Practice, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - M Goodman
- Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - J Green
- Independent Scholar, Vancouver, WA, USA
| | - A B Hancock
- The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - T W Johnson
- Department of Anthropology, California State University, Chico, CA, USA
| | - D H Karasic
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Independent Practice at dankarasic.com
| | - G A Knudson
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, Canada
| | - S F Leibowitz
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - H F L Meyer-Bahlburg
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - J Motmans
- Transgender Infopunt, Ghent University Hospital, Gent, Belgium
- Centre for Research on Culture and Gender, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - L Nahata
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
- Endocrinology and Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - T O Nieder
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Interdisciplinary Transgender Health Care Center Hamburg, Institute for Sex Research, Sexual Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry, Hamburg, Germany
| | - S L Reisner
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - C Richards
- Regents University London, UK
- Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | - V Tangpricha
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Lipids, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA, USA
| | - A C Tishelman
- Boston College, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA
| | - M A A Van Trotsenburg
- Bureau GenderPRO, Vienna, Austria
- University Hospital Lilienfeld-St. Pölten, St. Pölten, Austria
| | - S Winter
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - K Ducheny
- Howard Brown Health, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - N J Adams
- University of Toronto, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, Toronto, Canada
- Transgender Professional Association for Transgender Health (TPATH)
| | - T M Adrián
- Asamblea Nacional de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
- Diverlex Diversidad e Igualdad a Través de la Ley, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - L R Allen
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - D Azul
- La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Australia
| | - H Bagga
- Monash Health Gender Clinic, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - K Başar
- Department of Psychiatry, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - D S Bathory
- Independent Practice at Bathory International PLLC, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - J J Belinky
- Durand Hospital, Guemes Clinic and Urological Center, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - D R Berg
- National Center for Gender Spectrum Health, Institute for Sexual and Gender Health, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - J U Berli
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - R O Bluebond-Langner
- NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
- Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, New York, NY, USA
| | - M-B Bouman
- Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, , Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - M L Bowers
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Mills-Peninsula Medical Center, Burlingame, CA, USA
| | - P J Brassard
- GrS Montreal, Complexe CMC, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Université de Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - J Byrne
- University of Waikato/Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato, Hamilton/Kirikiriroa, New Zealand/Aotearoa
| | - L Capitán
- The Facialteam Group, Marbella International Hospital, Marbella, Spain
| | | | - J M Carswell
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston's Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - S C Chang
- Independent Practice, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - G Chelvakumar
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- The Ohio State University, College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - T Corneil
- School of Population & Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - K B Dalke
- Penn State Health, PA, USA
- Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - G De Cuypere
- Center for Sexology and Gender, Ghent University Hospital, Gent, Belgium
| | - E de Vries
- Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa
- University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - M Den Heijer
- Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Endocrinology, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, , Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - A H Devor
- University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - C Dhejne
- ANOVA, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - A D'Marco
- UCTRANS-United Caribbean Trans Network, Nassau, The Bahamas
- D M A R C O Organization, Nassau, The Bahamas
| | - E K Edmiston
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - L Edwards-Leeper
- Pacific University, Hillsboro, OR, USA
- Independent Practice, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - R Ehrbar
- Whitman Walker Health, Washington, DC, USA
- Independent Practice, Maryland, USA
| | - D Ehrensaft
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - J Eisfeld
- Transvisie, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - E Elaut
- Center for Sexology and Gender, Ghent University Hospital, Gent, Belgium
- Department of Clinical Experimental and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - L Erickson-Schroth
- The Jed Foundation, New York, NY, USA
- Hetrick-Martin Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - J L Feldman
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Health, Institute for Sexual and Gender Health, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - A D Fisher
- Andrology, Women Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - M M Garcia
- Department of Urology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Departments of Urology and Anatomy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - L Gijs
- Institute of Family and Sexuality Studies, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - B P Hall
- Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Adult Gender Medicine Clinic, Durham, NC, USA
| | - T L D Hardy
- Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- MacEwan University, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - M S Irwig
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - A C Janssen
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - K Johnson
- RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
- University of Brighton, Brighton, UK
| | - D T Klink
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Ghent University Hospital, Gent, Belgium
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, ZNA Queen Paola Children's Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - B P C Kreukels
- Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, , Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - L E Kuper
- Department of Psychiatry, Southwestern Medical Center, University of Texas, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Endocrinology, Children's Health, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - E J Kvach
- Denver Health, Denver, CO, USA
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - M A Malouf
- Malouf Counseling and Consulting, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - R Massey
- WPATH Global Education Institute
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - T Mazur
- Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
- John R. Oishei Children's Hospital, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - C McLachlan
- Professional Association for Transgender Health, South Africa
- Gender DynamiX, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - S D Morrison
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, USA
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - S W Mosser
- Gender Confirmation Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Saint Francis Memorial Hospital, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - P M Neira
- Johns Hopkins Center for Transgender Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Johns Hopkins Medicine Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Health Equity, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - U Nygren
- Division of Speech and Language Pathology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Speech and Language Pathology, Medical Unit, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - J M Oates
- La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
- Melbourne Voice Analysis Centre, East Melbourne, Australia
| | - J Obedin-Maliver
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - G Pagkalos
- Independent PracticeThessaloniki, Greece
- Military Community Mental Health Center, 424 General Military Training Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - J Patton
- Talkspace, New York, NY, USA
- CytiPsychological LLC, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - N Phanuphak
- Institute of HIV Research and Innovation, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - K Rachlin
- Independent Practice, New York, NY, USA
| | - T Reed
- Gender Identity Research and Education Society, Leatherhead, UK
| | - G N Rider
- National Center for Gender Spectrum Health, Institute for Sexual and Gender Health, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - J Ristori
- Andrology, Women Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | | | - S A Roberts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Boston's Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - K A Rodriguez-Wallberg
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - S M Rosenthal
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, UCSF, San Francisco, CA, USA
- UCSF Child and Adolescent Gender Center
| | - K Sabir
- FtM Phoenix Group, Krasnodar Krai, Russia
| | - J D Safer
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Mount Sinai Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery, New York, NY, USA
| | - A I Scheim
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, Ontario, Canada
| | - L J Seal
- Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | - K Spencer
- National Center for Gender Spectrum Health, Institute for Sexual and Gender Health, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - C St Amand
- University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
- Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - T D Steensma
- Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, , Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - J F Strang
- Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
- George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - G B Taylor
- Atrium Health Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - K Tilleman
- Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Gent, Belgium
| | - G G T'Sjoen
- Center for Sexology and Gender, Ghent University Hospital, Gent, Belgium
- Department of Endocrinology, Ghent University Hospital, Gent, Belgium
| | - L N Vala
- Independent Practice, Campbell, CA, USA
| | - N M Van Mello
- Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - J F Veale
- School of Psychology, University of Waikato/Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato, Hamilton/Kirikiriroa, New Zealand/Aotearoa
| | - J A Vencill
- Department of Psychiatry & Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - B Vincent
- Trans Learning Partnership at https://spectra-london.org.uk/trans-learning-partnership, UK
| | - L M Wesp
- College of Nursing, University of Wisconsin MilwaukeeMilwaukee, WI, USA
- Health Connections Inc., Glendale, WI, USA
| | - M A West
- North Memorial Health Hospital, Robbinsdale, MN, USA
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - J Arcelus
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
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Muzzey FK, Kinney MK, Maas MK, McCauley HL. Support networks of transmasculine and nonbinary young adults during chosen name transition. PSYCHOLOGY & SEXUALITY 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/19419899.2021.1902379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Finneran K. Muzzey
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | | | - Megan K. Maas
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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Collin LJ, MacLehose RF, Ahern TP, Gradus JL, Getahun D, Silverberg MJ, Goodman M, Lash TL. Sampling Validation Data to Achieve a Planned Precision of the Bias-Adjusted Estimate of Effect. Am J Epidemiol 2022; 191:1290-1299. [PMID: 35136909 PMCID: PMC9989334 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwac025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Data collected from a validation substudy permit calculation of a bias-adjusted estimate of effect that is expected to equal the estimate that would have been observed had the gold standard measurement been available for the entire study population. In this paper, we develop and apply a framework for adaptive validation to determine when sufficient validation data have been collected to yield a bias-adjusted effect estimate with a prespecified level of precision. Prespecified levels of precision are decided a priori by the investigator, based on the precision of the conventional estimate and allowing for wider confidence intervals that would still be substantively meaningful. We further present an applied example of the use of this method to address exposure misclassification in a study of transmasculine/transfeminine youth and self-harm. Our method provides a novel approach to effective and efficient estimation of classification parameters as validation data accrue, with emphasis on the precision of the bias-adjusted estimate. This method can be applied within the context of any parent epidemiologic study design in which validation data will be collected and modified to meet alternative criteria given specific study or validation study objectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay J Collin
- Correspondence to Dr. Lindsay J. Collin, Department of Population Health Science, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, 2000 Circle of Hope Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 (e-mail: )
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Hughes LD, King WM, Gamarel KE, Geronimus AT, Panagiotou OA, Hughto JM. Differences in All-Cause Mortality Among Transgender and Non-Transgender People Enrolled in Private Insurance. Demography 2022; 59:1023-1043. [PMID: 35548863 PMCID: PMC9195044 DOI: 10.1215/00703370-9942002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Few studies have analyzed mortality rates among transgender (trans) populations in the United States and compared them to the rates of non-trans populations. Using private insurance data from 2011 to 2019, we estimated age-specific all-cause mortality rates among a subset of trans people enrolled in private insurance and compared them to a 10% randomly selected non-trans cohort. Overall, we found that trans people were nearly twice as likely to die over the period as their non-trans counterparts. When stratifying by gender, we found key disparities within trans populations, with people on the trans feminine to nonbinary spectrum being at the greatest risk of mortality compared to non-trans males and females. While we found that people on the trans masculine to nonbinary spectrum were at a similar risk of overall mortality compared to non-trans females, their overall mortality rate was statistically smaller than that of non-trans males. These findings provide evidence that some trans and non-trans populations experience substantially different mortality conditions across the life course and necessitate further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Landon D. Hughes
- School of Public Health and Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Wesley M. King
- School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Arline T. Geronimus
- School of Public Health and Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Hughto JM, Hughes L, Yee K, Downing J, Ellison J, Alpert A, Jasuja G, Shireman TI. Improving Data-Driven Methods to Identify and Categorize Transgender Individuals by Gender in Insurance Claims Data. LGBT Health 2022; 9:254-263. [PMID: 35290746 PMCID: PMC9150133 DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2021.0433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Prior algorithms enabled the identification and gender categorization of transgender people in insurance claims databases in which sex and gender are not simultaneously captured. However, these methods have been unable to categorize the gender of a large proportion of their samples. We improve upon these methods to identify the gender of a larger proportion of transgender people in insurance claims data. Methods: Using 2001-2019 Optum's Clinformatics® Data Mart insurance claims data, we adapted prior algorithms by combining diagnosis, procedure, and pharmacy claims to (1) identify a transgender sample; and (2) stratify the sample by gender category (trans feminine and nonbinary [TFN], trans masculine and nonbinary [TMN], unclassified). We used logistic regression to estimate the burden of 13 chronic health conditions, controlling for gender category, age, race/ethnicity, enrollment length, and census region. Results: We identified 38,598 unique transgender people, comprising 50% [n = 19,252] TMN, 26% (n = 10,040) TFN, and 24% (n = 9306) unclassified individuals. In adjusted models, relative to TMN people, TFN people had significantly higher odds of most chronic health conditions, including HIV, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disorder, myocardial infarction, alcohol use disorder, and drug use disorder. Notably, TMN individuals had significantly higher odds of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression than TFN individuals. Conclusion: By combining complex administrative claims-based algorithms, we identified the largest U.S.-based sample of transgender individuals and inferred the gender of >75% of the sample. Adjusted models extend prior research documenting key health disparities by gender category. These methods may enable researchers to explore rare and sex-specific conditions in hard-to-reach transgender populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaclyn M.W. Hughto
- Center for Health Promotion and Health Equity, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Landon Hughes
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Population Studies Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Kim Yee
- Health Policy and Management, Oregon Health and Science University-Portland State University School of Public Health, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Jae Downing
- Health Policy and Management, Oregon Health and Science University-Portland State University School of Public Health, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Jacqueline Ellison
- Department of Health Services Policy and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Ash Alpert
- Department of Health Services Policy and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Guneet Jasuja
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, Massachusetts, USA
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Theresa I. Shireman
- Department of Health Services Policy and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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Yee K, Lind BK, Downing J. Change in Gender on Record and Transgender Adults' Mental or Behavioral Health. Am J Prev Med 2022; 62:696-704. [PMID: 34920916 PMCID: PMC9035075 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2021.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Within gender-diverse populations, gender-affirming changes in gender on record may improve mental or behavioral health. This study uses claims data to investigate whether sex assigned at birth modifies the association between change in gender on record and mental or behavioral health. METHODS Adult Oregon Medicaid beneficiaries with gender identity-related diagnoses and enrolled during 2010-2019 were included. Sex assigned at birth was inferred from medical and pharmacy claims and was categorized as assigned female, assigned male, or unknown sex assigned at birth. Self-reported gender ascertained at initial enrollment differing from sex assigned at birth indicated a change in gender on record. Multivariable logistic regression estimated the association between change in gender on record and mental (anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, post-traumatic stress disorder) or behavioral (alcohol, substance, or tobacco use disorders) health. Analyses were conducted in February 2021. RESULTS This study included 2,940 transgender and nonbinary adults. Of the 1,451 self-reporting female gender and 1,489 self-reporting male gender, 449 (30.9%) were assigned male at birth, and 303 (20.3%) were assigned female at birth, classified as changing their gender on record. Predicted probability of mental or behavioral conditions was significantly lower in those who changed their gender on record. Sex assigned at birth modified the association with mental health: assigned female at birth reporting female gender had the highest burdens, followed by assigned male at birth reporting male. Secondary analyses using a modified change in gender definition or alternative sex assigned at birth inference method found similar trends. CONCLUSIONS Oregon Medicaid gender-diverse beneficiaries who changed their gender on record had a meaningfully lower probability of mental and behavioral health conditions. Those assigned female at birth reporting female gender had the highest burdens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly Yee
- School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University, Portland, Oregon.
| | - Bonnie K Lind
- Center for Health Systems Effectiveness, Oregon Health and & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Jae Downing
- School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University, Portland, Oregon
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Eckenrode HE, Carwie JC, Curtis LM. Does Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy Increase the Risk of Kidney Disease? Semin Nephrol 2022; 42:151284. [PMID: 36435684 DOI: 10.1016/j.semnephrol.2022.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Kidney health and manifestation of disease in transgender men, women, and nonbinary individuals are not well understood. Transgender individuals commonly receive gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) to align their outward appearance with their gender. Recent attention to the differences in fundamental kidney parameters has identified that transgender individuals may manifest levels of these biomarkers differently than their cisgender counterparts. Improving understanding of the differences in biomarkers and in the development of kidney disease is essential to providing appropriate kidney care to this vulnerable population. In this review, we introduce the current information related to GAHT and kidney health and highlight the significant gaps in our understanding of how GAHT may affect kidney physiology and pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han E Eckenrode
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | | | - Lisa M Curtis
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.
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Islam N, Nash R, Zhang Q, Panagiotakopoulos L, Daley T, Bhasin S, Getahun D, Sonya Haw J, McCracken C, Silverberg MJ, Tangpricha V, Vupputuri S, Goodman M. Is There a Link Between Hormone Use and Diabetes Incidence in Transgender People? Data From the STRONG Cohort. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 107:e1549-e1557. [PMID: 34850912 PMCID: PMC8947226 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgab832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in transgender and gender diverse (TGD) persons, especially those receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) is an area of clinical and research importance. METHODS We used data from an electronic health record-based cohort study of persons 18 years and older enrolled in 3 integrated health care systems. The cohort included 2869 transfeminine members matched to 28 300 cisgender women and 28 258 cisgender men on age, race/ethnicity, calendar year, and site, and 2133 transmasculine members similarly matched to 20 997 cisgender women and 20 964 cisgender men. Cohort ascertainment spanned 9 years from 2006 through 2014 and follow-up extended through 2016. Data on T2DM incidence and prevalence were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression models, respectively. All analyses controlled for body mass index. RESULTS Both prevalent and incident T2DM was more common in the transfeminine cohort relative to cisgender female referents with odds ratio and hazard ratio (95% CI) estimates of 1.3 (1.1-1.5) and 1.4 (1.1-1.8), respectively. No significant differences in prevalence or incidence of T2DM were observed across the remaining comparison groups, both overall and in TGD persons with evidence of GAHT receipt. CONCLUSION Although transfeminine people may be at higher risk for T2DM compared with cisgender females, the corresponding difference relative to cisgender males is not discernable. Moreover, there is little evidence that T2DM occurrence in either transfeminine or transmasculine persons is attributable to GAHT use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noreen Islam
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Rebecca Nash
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Qi Zhang
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | | | - Tanicia Daley
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Shalender Bhasin
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Harvard School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Darios Getahun
- Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA
- Department of Health Systems Science, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA
| | - J Sonya Haw
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Courtney McCracken
- Center for Research and Evaluation, Kaiser PermanenteGeorgia, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA
| | - Michael J Silverberg
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Northern California, Oakland, CA 94612, USA
| | - Vin Tangpricha
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- The Atlanta VA Medical Center, Atlanta, GA 30033, USA
| | - Suma Vupputuri
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlanta States, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Michael Goodman
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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Clennon EK, Martin LH, Fadich SK, Zeigen L, Blasdel G, Sineath C, Dy GW. Community Engagement and Patient-Centered Implementation of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) in Gender Affirming Surgery: a Systematic Review. CURRENT SEXUAL HEALTH REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11930-021-00323-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Hojilla JC, Hurley LB, Marcus JL, Satre DD, Silverberg MJ, Zaritsky EF, Getahun D, Goodman M, Volk JE. HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Continuum of Care Among Transgender Individuals in an Integrated Health care System. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2022; 89:e30. [PMID: 34723924 PMCID: PMC8837673 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J. Carlo Hojilla
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Leo B. Hurley
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Julia L. Marcus
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Derek D. Satre
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Eve F. Zaritsky
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Centre, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Darios Getahun
- Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Michael Goodman
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jonathan E. Volk
- Department of Adult and Family Medicine, Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Centre, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Radix AE, Bond K, Carneiro PB, Restar A. Transgender Individuals and Digital Health. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2022; 19:592-599. [PMID: 36136217 PMCID: PMC9493149 DOI: 10.1007/s11904-022-00629-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The goal of this review is to assess the use of digital technologies to promote the health and well-being of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people. RECENT FINDINGS TGD individuals experience numerous health disparities, including low uptake of HIV prevention strategies, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis, increased HIV incidence, and suboptimal HIV-related outcomes. These health disparities are the result of widespread intersectional stigma on the basis of gender identity, gender expression, socioeconomic class, race, and ethnicity, which negatively impact access to general medical and transgender-specific health care. TGD individuals often delay or avoid essential medical services due to fear of discrimination. Clinicians frequently lack training, competence, and skills in transgender medicine, further exacerbating the health disparities faced by TGD people. Digital technologies have been used to improve research and clinical care for TGD populations through various modalities; telemedicine, telehealth and mHealth. Digital health technologies, including HIT-enabled clinical decision support, telehealth, telemedicine, and mHealth, offer innovative ways to improve health care access, improve quality of care, and reduce health disparities for TGD populations, including and beyond HIV outcomes, through enhanced care delivery, clinician education, and enhancing social support networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asa E. Radix
- Department of Medicine, Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, New York, NY USA ,NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY USA
| | - Keosha Bond
- Community Health & Social Medicine, CUNY School of Medicine, New York, NY USA
| | - Pedro B. Carneiro
- Department of Community Health and Social Sciences, City University of New York, New York, NY USA
| | - Arjee Restar
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
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Stutterheim SE, van Dijk M, Wang H, Jonas KJ. The worldwide burden of HIV in transgender individuals: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260063. [PMID: 34851961 PMCID: PMC8635361 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Transgender individuals are at risk for HIV. HIV risks are dynamic and there have been substantial changes in HIV prevention (e.g., pre-exposure prophylaxis [PrEP]). It is thus time to revisit HIV prevalence and burden among transgender individuals. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was thus to examine worldwide prevalence and burden of HIV over the course of the epidemic among trans feminine and trans masculine individuals. Methods We conducted an updated systematic review by searching PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, for studies of any research design published in in a peer-reviewed journal in any language that reported HIV prevalence among transgender individuals published between January 2000 and January 2019. Two independent reviewers extracted the data and assessed methodological quality. We then conducted a meta-analysis, using random-effects modelling, to ascertain standardized prevalence and the relative burden of HIV carried by transgender individuals by country and year of data collection, and then by geographic region. We additionally explored the impact of sampling methods and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Results Based on 98 studies, overall standardized HIV prevalence over the course of the epidemic, based on weights from each country by year, was 19.9% (95% CI 14.7% - 25.1%) for trans feminine individuals (n = 48,604) and 2.56% (95% CI 0.0% - 5.9%) for trans masculine individuals (n = 6460). Overall OR for HIV infection, compared with individuals over age 15, was 66.0 (95% CI 51.4–84.8) for trans feminine individuals and 6.8 (95% CI 3.6–13.1) for trans masculine individuals. Prevalence varied by geographic region (13.5% - 29.9%) and sampling method (5.4% - 37.8%). Lastly, PrEP effects on prevalence could not be established. Conclusion Trans feminine and trans masculine individuals are disproportionately burdened by HIV. Their unique prevention and care needs should be comprehensively addressed. Future research should further investigate the impact of sampling methods on HIV prevalence, and monitor the potential impact of PrEP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E. Stutterheim
- Department of Work and Social Psychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | - Mart van Dijk
- Department of Work and Social Psychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Haoyi Wang
- Department of Work and Social Psychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Kai J. Jonas
- Department of Work and Social Psychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Sineath RC, Blasdel G, Dy GW. Addressing urologic health disparities in sexual and gender minority communities through patient-centered outcomes research. Urology 2021; 166:66-75. [PMID: 34774931 DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2021.08.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Sexual and gender minority (SGM) communities face stigma and discrimination that impact all aspects of health. To better understand and improve their urologic health outcomes, we must study SGM patients as a distinct population and pursue research on outcomes identified as priorities to SGM communities. Patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) is a methodology which is increasingly familiar to urologists and is crucial to adequately addressing SGM health in future urological research. We review existing literature focused on urologic outcomes of SGM populations and highlight specific PCOR initiatives built on SGM community engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Craig Sineath
- Department of Urology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon.
| | - Gaines Blasdel
- Department of Urology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Geolani W Dy
- Department of Urology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
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Ragmanauskaite L, Zhang Q, Kim J, Getahun D, Silverberg MJ, Goodman M, Yeung H. Survey of Dermatologic Procedures in Transgender Adults. Dermatol Surg 2021; 47:1379-1383. [PMID: 34417383 PMCID: PMC8463491 DOI: 10.1097/dss.0000000000003179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dermatologists have the opportunity to provide medically necessary procedures, including laser hair removal, to transgender patients for gender affirmation. Further research is required to better assess the unique dermatologic needs of this population. OBJECTIVE To examine the prevalence of dermatologic procedures among transgender people in the context of gender-affirming treatment. METHODS This cross-sectional study examined survey responses from 696 transgender persons enrolled in the Study of Transition, Outcomes, and Gender cohort. Prevalence of self-reported dermatologic procedures was examined and compared across participant subgroups. RESULTS Electrolysis was the most commonly reported procedure (32.9%). Transfeminine patients were more likely to use dermatologic procedures compared with transmasculine patients. Only 19 participants (2.8%) reported the use of dermal filler injections. CONCLUSION Differences in utilization of dermatologic procedures were noted in transgender populations. Motivations, barriers, and optimal timing for gender-affirming dermatologic procedures among transgender persons should be examined in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA
| | - Jin Kim
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA
| | - Darios Getahun
- Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA
| | | | - Michael Goodman
- Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA
| | - Howa Yeung
- Department of Dermatology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
- Regional Telehealth Service, VA Veterans Integrated Service Network 7 Southeast Network, Decatur, GA
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45
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Dorsen CG, Leonard N, Goldsamt L, Warner A, Moore KG, Levitt N, Rosenfeld P. What does gender affirmation mean to you? An exploratory study. Nurs Forum 2021; 57:34-41. [PMID: 34535901 DOI: 10.1111/nuf.12648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Gender affirmation lessens mental health disparities among transgender and gender nonbinary (TGNB) persons. However, the concept of what it means to be affirmed in one's gender has not been fully explored, nor has the impact of gender affirmation on other health indicators been determined. The purpose of this study was to explore the meaning of gender affirmation among a sample of TGNB persons. METHODS This qualitative, narrative inquiry study consisted of individual, in-depth, semi-structured interviews with a convenience sample of 20 TGNB persons. Descriptive content analysis was conducted to discover themes. RESULTS This study identified salient themes regarding the multiple levels of affirmation (including internal, external and societal) needed to achieve the overall goal of living an optimal life described as "being seen, heard and even celebrated" as TGNB. CONCLUSION Results of this study have clinical, educational, research, and policy implications. Future research should explore the impact of gender affirmation on important health indicators in the TGNB community, differences in the experiences and needs among subgroups of TGNB persons, and the potential impact of nurses on the health experience of TGNB persons across the spectrum of transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline G Dorsen
- Rutgers School of Nursing, Rutgers School of Public Health, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Noelle Leonard
- Center for Drug Use and HIV Research (CDUHR), NYU Silver School of Social Work, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Lloyd Goldsamt
- NYU Meyers College of Nursing, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Amy Warner
- NYU Meyers College of Nursing, New York City, New York, USA
| | | | | | - Peri Rosenfeld
- Center for Innovations Advancement in Care (CIAC), NYU Langone Health, New York City, NY, USA
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46
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Hashemi L, Zhang Q, Getahun D, Jasuja GK, McCracken C, Pisegna J, Roblin D, Silverberg MJ, Tangpricha V, Vupputuri S, Goodman M. Longitudinal Changes in Liver Enzyme Levels Among Transgender People Receiving Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy. J Sex Med 2021; 18:1662-1675. [PMID: 37057433 PMCID: PMC8444147 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2021.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Background: The effect of gender affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) on clinical laboratory parameters, including levels of liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST), is an area of uncertainty in transgender health. Aim: We sought to estimate the distribution parameters of liver enzyme levels among transmasculine (TM) and transfeminine (TF) persons receiving GAHT relative to the corresponding measures in cisgender reference groups, and to evaluate longitudinal changes in these laboratory measures following GAHT initiation. Methods: The data for this longitudinal study included 624 TF and 438 transmasculine (TM) people as well as 4,090 cisgender males and 4,797 cisgender females enrolled in 3 integrated health systems. Time under observation was divided into 2 intervals: from the first blood test to the date of the first filled GAHT prescription and from GAHT initiation to the most recent ALT or AST measurement. Linear mixed models were used to compare changes in log-transformed ALT and AST values among transgender cohort members before and after GAHT initiation, and relative to the reference groups. The results were expressed as relative differences (in %) and the ratios of these differences (ratios-of-ratios) along with the 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Outcomes: Changes in ALT and AST levels among transgender people over time and relative to the corresponding changes in cisgender referents. Results: Among TM study participants, the post GAHT ratios-of-ratios for AST were 1.61 (95% CI: 1.13, 2.31) and 1.57 (95% CI: 1.06, 2.31) relative to cisgender males and females respectively. For ALT, the corresponding comparisons yielded the ratios-of-ratios (95% CIs) of 2.06 (1.67, 2.54) and 1.90 (1.50, 2.40). No statistically significant changes were observed among TF participants. Other factors associated with higher liver enzyme levels included alcohol use/abuse and obesity. Clinical Implications: TM persons may experience modest increases in ALT and AST concentrations following testosterone initiation; however, clinical significance of the observed association remains unclear and requires further investigation. By contrast, feminizing GAHT is unlikely to induce appreciable changes in liver enzyme levels. Strength and Limitations: The strengths of this study are the longitudinal design and the ability to assemble an unselected cohort nested within large health systems. The main limitations include the lack of information on hormone levels and the inability to take into account GAHT doses and routes of administration. Conclusion: The influence of long-term GAHT on ALT and AST levels appears modest and not likely to reflect clinically meaningful changes in liver function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Hashemi
- VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Department of General Internal Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA; David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Qi Zhang
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta GA, USA
| | - Darios Getahun
- Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Guneet K Jasuja
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), Edith Nourse Memorial Veterans Hospital, Bedford VA Medical Center, Bedford, MA, USA; Department of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Courtney McCracken
- Center for Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Georgia, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Joseph Pisegna
- VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Department of General Internal Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA; David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Douglas Roblin
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlanta States, Rockville, MD, USA
| | | | - Vin Tangpricha
- Department of Endocrinology, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA; The Atlanta VA Medical Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Suma Vupputuri
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlanta States, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Michael Goodman
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta GA, USA
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47
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Streed CG, Beach LB, Caceres BA, Dowshen NL, Moreau KL, Mukherjee M, Poteat T, Radix A, Reisner SL, Singh V. Assessing and Addressing Cardiovascular Health in People Who Are Transgender and Gender Diverse: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation 2021; 144:e136-e148. [PMID: 34235936 DOI: 10.1161/cir.0000000000001003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
There is growing evidence that people who are transgender and gender diverse (TGD) are impacted by disparities across a variety of cardiovascular risk factors compared with their peers who are cisgender. Prior literature has characterized disparities in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality as a result of a higher prevalence of health risk behaviors. Mounting research has revealed that cardiovascular risk factors at the individual level likely do not fully account for increased risk in cardiovascular health disparities among people who are TGD. Excess cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is hypothesized to be driven in part by psychosocial stressors across the lifespan at multiple levels, including structural violence (eg, discrimination, affordable housing, access to health care). This American Heart Association scientific statement reviews the existing literature on the cardiovascular health of people who are TGD. When applicable, the effects of gender-affirming hormone use on individual cardiovascular risk factors are also reviewed. Informed by a conceptual model building on minority stress theory, this statement identifies research gaps and provides suggestions for improving cardiovascular research and clinical care for people who are TGD, including the role of resilience-promoting factors. Advancing the cardiovascular health of people who are TGD requires a multifaceted approach that integrates best practices into research, health promotion, and cardiovascular care for this understudied population.
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Wagner S, Panagiotakopoulos L, Nash R, Bradlyn A, Getahun D, Lash TL, Roblin D, Silverberg MJ, Tangpricha V, Vupputuri S, Goodman M. Progression of Gender Dysphoria in Children and Adolescents: A Longitudinal Study. Pediatrics 2021; 148:peds.2020-027722. [PMID: 34099504 PMCID: PMC8276590 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2020-027722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The progression of gender-expansive behavior to gender dysphoria and to gender-affirming hormonal treatment (GAHT) in children and adolescents is poorly understood. METHODS A cohort of 958 gender-diverse (GD) children and adolescents who did not have a gender dysphoria-related diagnosis (GDRD) or GAHT at index were identified. Rates of first GDRD and first GAHT prescription were compared across demographic groups. RESULTS Overall, 29% of participants received a GDRD and 25% were prescribed GAHT during the average follow-up of 3.5 years (maximum 9 years). Compared with youth assigned male sex at birth, those assigned female sex at birth were more likely to receive a diagnosis and initiate GAHT with hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) estimates of 1.3 (1.0-1.7), and 2.5 (1.8-3.3), respectively. A progression to diagnosis was more common among those aged ≥15 years at initial presentation compared with those aged 10 to 14 years and those aged 3 to 9 years (37% vs 28% vs 16%, respectively). By using the youngest group as a reference, the adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for a GDRD were 2.0 (1.3-3.0) for age 10 to 14 years and 2.7 (1.8-3.9) for age ≥15 years. Racial and ethnic minorities were less likely to receive a diagnosis or be prescribed GAHT. CONCLUSIONS This study characterized the progression of GD behavior in children and adolescents. Less than one-third of GD youth receive an eventual GDRD, and approximately one-quarter receive GAHT. Female sex at birth, older age of initial GD presentation to medical care, and non-Hispanic white race and ethnicity increased the likelihood of receiving diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Wagner
- School of Medicine,Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Rebecca Nash
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Andrew Bradlyn
- Center for Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Georgia, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Darios Getahun
- Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, California,Department of Health Systems Science, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena, California
| | - Timothy L. Lash
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Douglas Roblin
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, Rockville, Maryland
| | | | - Vin Tangpricha
- School of Medicine,Atlanta US Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Suma Vupputuri
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Michael Goodman
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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49
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Knight EP. Gender and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Beyond the Binary. J Nurse Pract 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nurpra.2021.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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50
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Wolfe HL, Biello KB, Reisner SL, Mimiaga M, Cahill S, Hughto JM. Transgender-related discrimination and substance use, substance use disorder diagnosis and treatment history among transgender adults. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 223:108711. [PMID: 33866073 PMCID: PMC8114322 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Substantial research gaps exist regarding the relationship between transgender-related discrimination and substance use outcomes for transgender adults, with few studies accounting for other experiences of victimization. METHODS Transgender adults (N = 600) from Massachusetts and Rhode Island completed a survey online or in-person. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models examined the association between lifetime experiences of transgender-related discrimination using the validated 11-item Everyday Discrimination Scale (theoretical range = 0-44) and substance use outcomes: past 12-month substance use frequency, lifetime substance use disorder (SUD) diagnosis, and substance use treatment (SUTx) history. All models were adjusted for age, gender identity, race, survey modality, childhood physical/sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, and discrimination attributable to other reasons than being transgender. RESULTS The mean transgender-related discrimination score was 20.8 (SD = 9.6, range = 0-44). Overall, 11.8 % of the sample had a SUD diagnosis and 11.0 % had received SUTx. In separate multivariable models adjusted for sociodemographic and victimization experiences, the highest quartile of transgender-related discrimination was significantly associated with higher past 12-month substance use (B = 1.44; aR2 = 0.13; p = .009), SUD diagnosis (aOR = 3.64; 95 % CI = 1.46-9.07; p = .006), and lifetime treatment history (aOR = 3.93; 95 % CI = 1.50-10.21; p = .005). CONCLUSIONS There was a significant positive association between experiencing high levels of transgender-related discrimination and substance use outcomes among the transgender adults sampled. Longitudinal research is needed to understand the specific mediators driving these relationships and to address the implications of transgender-related discrimination on SUD treatment utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hill L. Wolfe
- Department of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118,Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Bedford Healthcare System, 200 Springs Road (152), Building 70, Bedford, MA 01730
| | - Katie B. Biello
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI,Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI 02903,Center for Promotion and Health Equity, Brown University, Box G-121-8, Providence, RI 02912,The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, 1340 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Sari L. Reisner
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, 1340 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02215,General Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115,Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115,Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Matthew Mimiaga
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI,Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI 02903,General Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115,Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, 650 Charles E. Young Dr. South, 16-035 Center for Health Sciences, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Sean Cahill
- Department of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118,The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, 1340 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02215,Bouve College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA
| | - Jaclyn M.W. Hughto
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI,Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI 02903,Center for Promotion and Health Equity, Brown University, Box G-121-8, Providence, RI 02912,The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, 1340 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02215
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