title: Effect of cross-sex hormone treatment on cardiovascular risk factors in transsexual individuals. Experience in a specialized unit in Catalonia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Since the onset of cross hormone therapy (CHT) in transsexual individuals, there has been concern about possible chronic side effects. Our objective was to assess baseline differences in lipid profile in individuals with gender identity disorder in relation to prior CHT, and changes in the lipid profile and other cardiovascular (CV) risk factors after 24 months of treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective longitudinal study including all individuals assisted for the first time in the Gender Identity Unit of Catalonia from 2006 to 2010. Socio-demographical, anthropometric and laboratory data were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We evaluated 247 transsexuals, 150 male to female (MtF: 60.7%) and 97 female to male (FtM; 39.3%). At baseline, FtM transsexuals were younger and had started prior CHT less often than MtF (13.4% vs. 64.7%; p<0.001). During follow up, in MtF weight and BMI increased significantly, as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressure, though these latter remained within normal range. No significant differences in lipid profile were observed. FtM transsexuals also presented an increase in weight and BMI, without differences in blood pressure. A general worsening in lipid profile was observed in this group, with increased total cholesterol (166.0 ± 35.1 vs. 175.6 ± 38.2mg/dL; p=0.001), triglycerides (70.6 ± 30.7 vs. 102.3 ± 68.5 mg/dL; p<0.001) and LDL cholesterol (103.8 ± 28.7 vs. 112.8 ± 30.3 mg/dL; p=.013) and decreased HDL cholesterol (52.2 ± 12.2 vs. 45.4 ± 13.8 mg/dL; p=0.001), even though final levels were all within normal range.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is no detectable increase in CV risk factors in MtF transsexuals who were treated with currently prescribed estrogenic compounds, while a slight worsening in lipid profile takes place in the FtM group, though within normal limits.
authors: Endocrinology Unit, Hospital Clinic i Universitari de Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: cmquiros@clinic.ub.es.
authors: Carmen
authors: C
authors: Quirós
authors: Endocrinology Unit, Hospital Clinic i Universitari de Barcelona, Spain.
authors: Ioana
authors: I
authors: Patrascioiu
authors: Endocrinology Unit, Hospital Clinic i Universitari de Barcelona, Spain.
authors: Mireia
authors: M
authors: Mora
authors: Endocrinology Unit, Hospital Clinic i Universitari de Barcelona, Spain.
authors: Gloria Beatriz
authors: GB
authors: Aranda
authors: Endocrinology Unit, Hospital Clinic i Universitari de Barcelona, Spain.
authors: Felicia Alexandra
authors: FA
authors: Hanzu
authors: Psychiatry Unit, Hospital Clinic i Universitari de Barcelona, Spain.
authors: Esther
authors: E
authors: Gómez-Gil
authors: Psychology Unit, Hospital Clinic i Universitari de Barcelona, Spain.
authors: Teresa
authors: T
authors: Godás
authors: Endocrinology Unit, Hospital Clinic i Universitari de Barcelona, Spain.
authors: Irene
authors: I
authors: Halperin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D062985:Health Services for Transgender Persons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D063106:Transgender Persons; D014189:Transsexualism / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D004967:Estrogens; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D008055:Lipids
keywords: Cardiovascular risk; Lipids; Lípidos; Riesgo cardiovascular; Transexualidad; Transsexualism