[Biological etiologies of transsexualism]. / Le point sur les étiologies biologiques de la transsexualité.

Transsexualism or gender dysphoria is a disorder of sexual identity of unknown etiology. At the biological level, one assumes atypical brain development during certain periods of its formation (genesis) notably during embryogenesis, as a result of altered hormonal influence and a particular genetic polymorphism. This article summarizes the research conducted to date in these three areas only, excluding psycho-social and environmental factors.

[Medical consult before taking a plane: assessment and advice by the primary care physician]. / Consultation avant de prendre l'avion: evaluation et conseils par le médecin de premier recours.

Many of our patients travel by air. During the flight, they are exposed to specific physical conditions: decrease of the PaO2, increase of body gas volume and decrease in humidity. Depending on their illness, their tolerance to these conditions may vary. The primary care physician's role is to adequately counsel patients in order to ensure their security during and after the flight, as well as to prescribe additional therapies, when needed. Patients with a hypoxemic medical condition or patients that were recently operated deserve particular attention. Complications of common ear, nose and throat diseases should not be underestimated. Preventive recommendations for thromboembolic disease need to be addressed, while drug prophylaxis is not systematically recommended any more for patients with major thromboembolic risk factors.