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Thomsen MK, Andersen M, Greve J. Transgender lives at the population level: Evidence from Danish administrative data. Soc Sci Med 2024; 358:117182. [PMID: 39168067 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.117182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
This paper provides the first rigorous account of the diverse characteristics of transgender individuals at the population level, using data from Danish population registers. We observe three transgender subpopulations within the same national setting: all who changed thier legal sex (T-Legal, n = 1,995), all who have been assigned trans-related diagnostic codes (T-ICD, n = 1,594), and those who self-identified as transgender in a representative survey (T-Survey, n = 197, weighted n = 44,958). Results show significant differences in the subpopulations' backgrounds, family, education and labour market characteristics, and healthcare use. These differences extend beyond comparisons with the general population to great variations between each of the transgender subpopulations. Individuals with legal sex changes, and particularly those with trans-related diagnostic codes, face substantial disadvantages across various outcomes. Compared to the general population and the T-Survey subpopulation, the T-Legal subpopulation and the T-ICD subpopulation have significantly higher numbers of psychiatric hospital visits, lower educational attainment, lower annual earnings, and reduced employment rates, also when controlling for background characteristics. Earnings and employment rates remained significantly lower also when controlling for educational attainment. Our results show that the strategy chosen to identify trans individuals in population data has a great impact on the characteristics observed, and that trans individuals captured by surveys do not necessarily represent all transgender individuals, including those who seek to medically or legally transition. Furthermore, our results indicate that high numbers of trans individuals observed in surveys do not necessarily correspond to high demands for gender-affirming treatments or legal sex change. Finally, we show that transgender individuals who seek gender-affirming healthcare constitute a distinct and significantly disadvantaged group, also compared to other trans subpopulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morten Kjær Thomsen
- Department of Sociology, Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science & Worcester College, University of Oxford, UK.
| | - Matvei Andersen
- VIVE - the Danish Center for Social Science Research, 1052, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jane Greve
- VIVE - the Danish Center for Social Science Research, 1052, Copenhagen, Denmark
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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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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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Glintborg D, Rubin KH, Petersen TG, Lidegaard Ø, T'Sjoen G, Hilden M, Andersen MS. Cardiovascular risk in Danish transgender persons: a matched historical cohort study. Eur J Endocrinol 2022; 187:463-477. [PMID: 35900321 DOI: 10.1530/eje-22-0306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiovascular risk could be increased in transgender persons, but the mechanism is undetermined. AIM The aim of this study was to assess the risk of cardiovascular outcomes in Danish transgender persons compared to controls. METHODS The study design was a historical register-based cohort study in Danish transgenders and age-matched controls. The main outcome measure was cardiovascular diagnosis (any CVD) including medicine prescriptions for CVD during 2000-2018. The transgender cohort (n = 2671) included persons with International Classification of Diseases-10 diagnosis code of 'gender identity disorder' (n = 1583) and persons with legal sex change (n = 1088), 1270 were assigned female at birth (AFAB) and 1401 were assigned male at birth (AMAB). Controls (n = 26 710) were matched by age (n = 5 controls of same and n = 5 controls of other birth sex) of the respective transgender. RESULTS The median (interquartile range) age at study inclusion was 22 (18; 29) years for AFAB and 26 (21; 39) years for AMAB. The mean (s.d.) follow-up time was 4.5 (4.2) years for AFAB and 5.7 (4.8) years for AMAB. The hazard ratio (HR) for any CVD was significantly higher in transgenders vs controls of same and other birth sex, with highest adjusted HR in transgenders AFAB vs control men: 2.20 (95% CI: 1.64;2.95), P < 0.001. Gender-affirming hormone treatment (GAHT) explained part of elevated risk of CVD in transgenders AFAB, whereas GAHT did not contribute to the elevated risk of CVD in transgenders AMAB. CONCLUSIONS The risk of cardiovascular diagnosis was increased in transgenders. The mechanism should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorte Glintborg
- Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Katrine Hass Rubin
- OPEN - Open Patient Data Explorative Network, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Research Unit OPEN, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Tanja Gram Petersen
- OPEN - Open Patient Data Explorative Network, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Øjvind Lidegaard
- Department of Gynecology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Kobenhavn, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Kobenhavn, Denmark
| | - Guy T'Sjoen
- Department of Endocrinology and Centre for Sexology and Gender, Ghent University Hospital, Gent, Belgium
| | - Malene Hilden
- Department of Gynecology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Kobenhavn, Denmark
- Centre for Gender Identity, Department of Gynaecology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Kobenhavn, Denmark
| | - Marianne Skovsager Andersen
- Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Spizzirri G, Eufrásio RÁ, Abdo CHN, Lima MCP. Proportion of ALGBT adult Brazilians, sociodemographic characteristics, and self-reported violence. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11176. [PMID: 35778514 PMCID: PMC9249838 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15103-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Asexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans (ALGBT) individuals face worse life conditions and violence rates than their heterosexual cisgender counterparts. Brazil is often highlighted for having one of the highest rates of hate-related homicides against ALGBTs in the world. However, to date, Brazil's ALGBT population has not been investigated with a representative sample, and basic information such as population size or sociodemographic characteristics are mostly based in non-systematic data. We aimed to assess the proportion of asexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and non-binary adults in Brazil, their sociodemographic characteristics, and self-reported violence rates. In 2018, a sample (n = 6000) of the Brazilian adult population answered a face-to-face survey assessing sociodemographic characteristics, gender identity, sexual orientation, and self-reported psychological, physical, verbal, and sexual violence. Among Brazilian adults, 12.04% are ALGBT: 5.76% asexual, 0.93% lesbian, 1.37% gay, 2.12% bisexual, 0.68 trans, and 1.18% non-binary. Compared to heterosexual cisgender men, most ALGBT individuals have worse socioeconomic indicators and higher rates of self-reported psychological and verbal violence. All ALGBT groups and heterosexual cisgender women reported sexual violence more often than heterosexual cisgender men. It was reported between 4 up to 25 times more often by heterosexual cisgender women and trans individuals, respectively. The rates of the other ALGBT groups sit among the two. Our findings provide evidence of the important size of the ALGBT Brazilian population, as well as their socioeconomic vulnerability, and concerning violence levels experienced by the group. Policy makers may refer to the present article in order to mitigate this population's vulnerability and to better understand its sociodemographic characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giancarlo Spizzirri
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. .,Department of Neurology, Psychology and Psychiatry, Botucatu Medical School, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
| | | | | | - Maria Cristina Pereira Lima
- Department of Neurology, Psychology and Psychiatry, Botucatu Medical School, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil
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