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Liwinski T, Auer MK, Schröder J, Pieknik I, Casar C, Schwinge D, Henze L, Stalla GK, Lang UE, von Klitzing A, Briken P, Hildebrandt T, Desbuleux JC, Biedermann SV, Holterhus PM, Bang C, Schramm C, Fuss J. Gender-affirming hormonal therapy induces a gender-concordant fecal metagenome transition in transgender individuals. BMC Med 2024; 22:346. [PMID: 39218875 PMCID: PMC11367877 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-024-03548-z] [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: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Limited data exists regarding gender-specific microbial alterations during gender-affirming hormonal therapy (GAHT) in transgender individuals. This study aimed to investigate the nuanced impact of sex steroids on gut microbiota taxonomy and function, addressing this gap. We prospectively analyzed gut metagenome changes associated with 12 weeks of GAHT in trans women and trans men, examining both taxonomic and functional shifts. METHODS Thirty-six transgender individuals (17 trans women, 19 trans men) provided pre- and post-GAHT stool samples. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing was used to assess the changes in gut microbiota structure and potential function following GAHT. RESULTS While alpha and beta diversity remained unchanged during transition, specific species, including Parabacteroides goldsteinii and Escherichia coli, exhibited significant abundance shifts aligned with affirmed gender. Overall functional metagenome analysis showed a statistically significant effect of gender and transition (R2 = 4.1%, P = 0.0115), emphasizing transitions aligned with affirmed gender, particularly in fatty acid-related metabolism. CONCLUSIONS This study provides compelling evidence of distinct taxonomic and functional profiles in the gut microbiota between trans men and women. GAHT induces androgenization in trans men and feminization in trans women, potentially impacting physiological and health-related outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02185274.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timur Liwinski
- Clinic for Adult Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Clinics, University of Basel, Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, Basel, CH-4002, Switzerland
| | - Matthias K Auer
- Medizinische Klinik and Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU München, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Forensic Psychiatry and Sex Research, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University of Duisburg-Essen, Alfredstr. 68-72, Essen, 45130, Germany
| | - Johanna Schröder
- Department of Psychology, Institute for Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ina Pieknik
- Institute of Forensic Psychiatry and Sex Research, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University of Duisburg-Essen, Alfredstr. 68-72, Essen, 45130, Germany
| | - Christian Casar
- First Department of Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dorothee Schwinge
- First Department of Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lara Henze
- First Department of Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Günter K Stalla
- Medizinische Klinik and Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU München, Munich, Germany
- Medicover Neuroendocrinology, Munich, Germany
| | - Undine E Lang
- Clinic for Adult Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Clinics, University of Basel, Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, Basel, CH-4002, Switzerland
| | - Alina von Klitzing
- Institute for Sex Research, Sexual Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Peer Briken
- Institute for Sex Research, Sexual Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Hildebrandt
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, CCC Erlangen EMN, Friedrich Alexander University, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jeanne C Desbuleux
- Institute of Forensic Psychiatry and Sex Research, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University of Duisburg-Essen, Alfredstr. 68-72, Essen, 45130, Germany
| | - Sarah V Biedermann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Social and Emotional Neuroscience Group, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Paul-Martin Holterhus
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Children and Adolescent Medicine I, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel/Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, D-24105, Germany
| | - Corinna Bang
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Rosalind-Franklin-Str. 12, Kiel, 24105, Germany
| | - Christoph Schramm
- First Department of Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
- Hamburg Centre for Translational Immunology (HCTI), University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Martin Zeitz Center for Rare Diseases, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Fuss
- Institute of Forensic Psychiatry and Sex Research, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University of Duisburg-Essen, Alfredstr. 68-72, Essen, 45130, Germany
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Ong C, Monita M, Liu M. Gender-affirming hormone therapy and cardiovascular health in transgender adults. Climacteric 2024; 27:227-235. [PMID: 38597210 DOI: 10.1080/13697137.2024.2310518] [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] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
A growing number of people identify as transgender and gender non-binary in the USA and worldwide. Concomitantly, an increasing number of patients are receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) to achieve gender congruence. GAHT has far-ranging effects on clinical and subclinical markers of cardiovascular risk. Transgender patients also appear to be at higher risk for cardiovascular diseases compared to their cisgender peers and the impact of gender-affirming therapy on cardiovascular health is unclear. Studies on the effect of GAHT on cardiovascular outcomes are confounded by differences in GAHT regimens and methodological challenges in a diverse and historically hard-to-reach population. Current cardiovascular guidelines do not incorporate gender identity and hormone status into risk stratification and clinical decision-making. In this review, we provide an overview on the cardiometabolic impact and clinical considerations of GAHT for cardiovascular risk in transgender patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Ong
- Division of Cardiology, Lenox Hill Hospital, Northwell Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Monique Monita
- Department of Medicine, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Minghao Liu
- Department of Endocrinology, Lenox Hill Hospital, Northwell Health, New York, NY, USA
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Krasowski MD, Hines NG, Imborek KL, Greene DN. Impact of sex used for assignment of reference intervals in a population of patients taking gender-affirming hormones. J Clin Transl Endocrinol 2024; 36:100350. [PMID: 38737625 PMCID: PMC11087993 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcte.2024.100350] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Gender-affirming hormone therapy with either estradiol or testosterone for transgender persons can significantly impact chemistry and hematology laboratory tests. The sex used for assignment of reference intervals (RIs) in the electronic health record (EHR) will influence normal/abnormal flagging of test results. Objective To analyze common non-hormonal laboratory tests with sex-specific RIs ordered in patients with sexual orientation/gender identify (SOGI) field differences (one or more differences between legal sex, sex assigned at birth, and gender identity) in the EHR at an academic medical center in midwestern United States. Methods We utilized a previously characterized data set of patients at our institution that included chart review information on gender identity and gender-affirming therapy. We focused on the subset of these patients that had orders for 18 common laboratory tests in calendar year 2021. Results A total of 1336 patients with SOGI field differences (1218 or 91.2% identifying as gender-expansive; 892 or 66.8% receiving estradiol or testosterone as gender-affirming therapy) had a total of 9374 orders for 18 laboratory tests with sex-specific RIs. Hemoglobin, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and high-density lipoprotein were the most frequently ordered tests. For patients taking estradiol, 128 of 970 (13.2%) creatinine and 39 of 193 (20.2%) hemoglobin measurements were within the RI for one sex but not the other. For those taking testosterone, 119 of 531 (22.4%) creatinine and 49 of 120 (40.8%) hemoglobin measurements were within the RI for one sex but not the other. Values above the cisgender female RI but within the cisgender male RI were common for hemoglobin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase in patients taking testosterone. Conclusions Clinicians should be aware of the potential impact of gender-affirming therapy on laboratory tests and what sex/gender is being used in the EHR to assign RIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D. Krasowski
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Nicole G. Hines
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
- Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | | | - Dina N. Greene
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- LetsGetChecked Laboratories, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
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Ristori J, Motta G, Meriggiola MC, Bettocchi C, Crespi C, Falcone M, Lombardo F, Maggi M, Morelli G, Colao AM, Isidori AM, Fisher AD. A comment from SIGIS, SIE and SIAMS: "Puberty blockers in transgender adolescents-a matter of growing evidence and not of ideology". J Endocrinol Invest 2024; 47:479-481. [PMID: 37695460 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-023-02173-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- J Ristori
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Florence University Hospital, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - G Motta
- Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - M C Meriggiola
- Division of Gynecology and Human Reproduction Physiopathology, IRCSS Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - C Bettocchi
- Department of Urology, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - C Crespi
- Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - M Falcone
- Department of Urology, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Molinette Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - F Lombardo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - M Maggi
- Endocrinology Unit, "Mario Serio" Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - G Morelli
- Urology Department, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - A M Colao
- Cattedra Unesco "Educazione alla Salute e allo Sviluppo Sostenibile", University "Federico II", Naples, Italy
- UNESCO Chair on Health Education and Sustainable Development, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - A M Isidori
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - A D Fisher
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Florence University Hospital, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Florence, Italy.
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Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention of Stroke in Transgender Adults. Curr Treat Options Neurol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11940-022-00728-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose of Review
To identify the current state of science on stroke in transgender adults and highlight gaps in need of further research. We will review current research on cerebrovascular risk and disease, hormone therapy, and stroke in transgender individuals. Finally, we will provide a framework for healthcare providers to prevent and reduce disparities through inclusive care practices.
Recent Findings
Transgender people experience unique stroke risk factors, secondary to both psychosocial stress and health-related behaviors. These include higher rates of HIV, tobacco use, stimulant use, and hepatitis C. The use of gender-affirming hormone therapy may lead to an increased risk for ischemic stroke, but the data are limited and require further research.
Summary
Recent research has highlighted the numerous healthcare disparities faced by transgender individuals. Regarding stroke disparities, these are multifactorial and include contributions from health-related behaviors, inadequate access to care, the use of hormonal therapy, and minority stress. Further research is needed to increase access to care and reduce the substantial gap in outcomes for these individuals.
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