The effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy and mastectomy on psychopathology, body image, and quality of life in adults with gender dysphoria who were assigned female at birth.

PURPOSE: Individuals with gender dysphoria (GD) may request hormone therapy and various surgical operations to change their physical characteristics. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of two treatments, mastectomy and gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), on adults with GD who were assigned female at birth (GD AFAB). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we gathered data from a total of 269 individuals in three groups: (a) untreated group (n = 121), (b) GAHT group (n = 84) who had been receiving treatment for at least 6 months, and (c) GAHT-MAST group (n = 64) who had been using GAHT for at least 6 months and had undergone mastectomy at least 3 months prior. All participants were asked to complete the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), the Body Uneasiness Test (BUT), and the World Health Organization's Quality of Life Questionnaire- Brief Form, Turkish Version (WHOQOL-BREF-Tr). RESULTS: We found that individuals in the untreated group had higher psychopathological symptoms and body uneasiness scores, and lower quality of life scores compared to both GAHT and GAHT-MAST groups. There was no difference in psychopathology between the GAHT-MAST group and the GAHT group, but body uneasiness scores were lower, and quality of life scores were higher in the GAHT-MAST group. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that individuals receiving GAHT improved mental health, body satisfaction, and overall quality of life. Combining mastectomy with GAHT may further enhance these benefits.

Evaluation of quality of life scores and family impact scales in pediatric patients with alopecia areata: a cross-sectional cohort study.

BACKGROUND: There are a limited number of studies evaluating the effects of alopecia areata (AA) on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of pediatric patients and their families. This study aimed to assess the HRQoL of pediatric patients with AA and their parents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-center cross-sectional cohort study included 72 pediatric patients diagnosed with AA. The study was conducted between December 2020 and December 2021 in the dermatology department of a single tertiary center in Turkey. The HRQoL index of the pediatric patients was assessed with the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI). At the same time, their parents, who were primarily involved in the disease process, were evaluated using the Dermatological Family Impact Scale (DeFIS). An ordinal logistic regression model was used to detect predictors for CDLQI severity. RESULTS: The mean ± SD CDLQI of the pediatric patients who participated in our study was 8.4 ± 5.3, corresponding to moderate impairment. The highest impairment in CDLQI was observed in the symptoms and feelings domain, while the slightest impairment was observed in the domain of personal relationships (P < 0.001). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score and all CDLQI domains, and the most substantial relationship was with the leisure domain (r = 0.78, P < 0.001). DeFIS scores of female patients were substantially higher than males (25.3 ± 8.6 vs. 17.6 ± 9, P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study supports that AA is a disease that significantly impacts the HRQoL of affected children and their families.

Disordered eating behaviors in gender-affirmative treatment seeking transgender people.

This study aimed to explore disordered eating behaviors in gender-affirming treatment (GAT)-seeking transgender (TG) adults and cisgender people, in addition to analyzing the association between gender dysphoria intensity, body mass index, and disordered eating behaviors. Data were collected from 132 GAT-seeking TG people with gender dysphoria who had never received GAT (91 TG men, 41 TG women), and 153 cisgender (99 cisgender men, 54 cisgender women) participants from Turkey. The Utrecht Gender Dysphoria Scale was used to evaluate the intensity of gender dysphoria. Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire and Questionnaire on Eating and Weight Patterns-5 were utilized to assess disordered eating. There was no difference between TG women and TG men in terms of ED psychopathology. The most prominent characteristic in all four groups was shape concern, which was significantly higher in TG men and TG women when compared to cisgender men and cisgender women. Binge eating was notably more frequent in TG men and TG women compared to cisgender men, with 11% of the TG men and 7.3% of the TG women meeting the criteria for possible binge eating disorder. Screening for disordered eating behaviors, particularly binge eating, may be recommended in routine care for TG people.

P300 parameters in major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Event-related potential measures have been extensively studied in mental disorders. Among them, P300 amplitude and latency reflect impaired cognitive abilities in major depressive disorder (MDD). The present systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to investigate whether patients with MDD differ from healthy controls (HCs) with respect to P300 amplitude and latency. METHODS: PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to 15 January 2023 for case-control studies comparing P300 amplitude and latency in patients with MDD and HCs. The primary outcome was the standard mean difference. A total of 13 articles on P300 amplitude and latency were included in the meta-analysis. RESULTS: Random effect models indicated that MDD patients had decreased P300 amplitude, but similar latency compared to healthy controls. According to regression analysis, the effect size increased with the severity of depression and decreased with the proportion of women in the MDD samples. Funnel plot asymmetry was not significant for publication bias. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased P300 amplitude may be a candidate diagnostic biomarker for MDD. However, prospective studies testing P300 amplitude as a monitoring biomarker for MDD are needed.

REM parameters in drug-free major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Previous studies revealed that rapid eye movement (REM) parameters, such as REM latency (RL) and REM density (RD) could be used as electrophysiological markers of depression. Yet these finding should be re-tested in a comorbid-free and drug-free sample. The present systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to investigate whether drug-free and comorbid-free patients with unipolar depression differentiate from controls with respect to the RL and RD. The PubMed and Web of Science databases were screened from inception to 23 January 2023 for case-control studies comparing RL and RD of patients with unipolar depression and controls. The primary outcome was the standard mean difference. The data were fitted with a random-effects model. Meta-regressions were conducted to investigate patient characteristics and effect size. Publication bias assessment was checked by Egger's Regression and funnel plot asymmetry. Among 43 articles accepted as eligible, 46 RL and 22 RD measurements were included in the meta-analysis. The results indicated shortened RL and increased RD in the patient group than controls. Neither Egger's regression nor funnel plot asymmetry were significant for publication bias. In conclusion, our results tested within drug-free and comorbid-free samples are in line with the literature.

Acromegaly increases depressive symptoms and reduces quality of life of cohabitants.

PURPOSE: To assess how living with patients with acromegaly affects people's psychology and quality of life (QoL). METHODS: Acromegaly patients and their cohabitants included in this study. Patients were administered Acromegaly Quality of Life Questionnaire (AcroQoL), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Cohabitants were administered quality of life questionnaire (SF-36), BAI, BDI, and Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (ZBI). RESULTS: This study included 84 patients with acromegaly and 84 cohabitants. Sixty-nine patients (n = 84, 82.1%) had an acromegalic appearance. Cohabitants who were affected by the acromegalic appearance had higher BAI, BDI, and ZBI scores than those who were not affected (p < 0.001 for all). Cohabitants who were affected by the acromegalic appearance had a significantly lower SF-36 score (p = 0.015). The BAI (r=-0.535, p < 0.001), BDI (r=-0.592, p < 0.001), and ZBI (r=-0.465, p < 0.001) scores of the cohabitants showed a negative correlation with AcroQoL. SF-36 scores showed correlation with AcroQoL (r = 0.387, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The chronic process of acromegaly and the external appearance of patients with this disease can negatively affect both the patients and the people living with them. Physicians being aware of this effect and taking counteractive measures may contribute positively to the course of acromegaly.

Changes in neuroactive steroids, neurotrophins and immunological biomarkers after monotherapy 8-week rTMS treatment and their relationship with neurocognitive functions in depression.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has proven effective in the treatment of major depression. The underlying mechanisms of action are still poorly understood. We aimed to evaluate the changes in the levels of neuroactive steroids, neurotrophins and immunological biomarkers before and after rTMS treatment and assess the relationship of this change between clinical response and cognitive functions after monotherapy rTMS treatment. Twenty-three patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 25 matched healthy controls were included in the study. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Trail Making Test A and B forms and Digit Span Test were administered. Biomarkers (BDNF, TNF-α, IL-1ß, NAS) were run in the peripheral blood at the end of the first month that rTMS was administered daily and at the end of the 2nd month when that rTMS was administered once a week. Appropriate conditions were provided so that the relevant biomarkers were not affected by the biorhythm. After rTMS monotherapy, an increase in BDNF and allopregnanolone, a decrease in TNF-α, IL-1ß, DHEA, and DHEA-S levels was found to be statistically significant. The scores on cognitive tests increased with the treatment. Positive significant correlations was found between BDNF levels and cognitive tests at the end of the first and second months. Our findings suggest that the effects of rTMS treatment may be related to the neuroendocrine, neurotrophin, and immunological mechanisms. rTMS treatment is found to have positive effects on cognitive functions in the short term.

The Effects of Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy on Body Satisfaction, Self-Esteem, Quality of Life, and Psychopathology in People with Female-to-Male Gender Dysphoria.

Purpose: Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) is one of the most important therapeutic interventions sought by people with gender dysphoria (GD). In the present study, we aimed to examine the effects of GAHT on body satisfaction, self-esteem, quality of life, and psychopathology in people with female-to-male (FtM) GD. Methods: Thirty-seven FtM GD participants who did not receive any gender-affirming therapy, 35 FtM GD participants who received GAHT for over 6 months, and 38 cisgender women were included in the study. The Body Cathexis Scale (BCS), Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale (RSES), World Health Organization's Quality of Life Questionnaire Brief Form (WHOQOL-BREF), and Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) were completed by all participants. Results: The BCS scores of the untreated group were significantly lower than both the GAHT group and the female controls (p<0.001); while the WHOQOL-BREF-psychological health scores of the untreated group were significantly lower than those of the female controls (p=0.003). The psychoticism subscale scores on the SCL-90-R of the untreated group were higher than those of the GAHT group (p=0.04) as well as the female controls (p=0.003). With regard to the RSES, there were no significant differences between the groups. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that people with FtM GD who receive GAHT are more satisfied with their bodies and have less psychopathological problems compared to those who do not receive GAHT, but their quality of life and self-esteem do not change as a result of GAHT.

Altered thalamic volume in patients with mild autonomous cortisol secretion: a structural brain MRI study.

PURPOSE: To compare thalamic volume and cognitive functions of patients with mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) with control subjects and patients with overt Cushing's syndrome (CS). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, volumes of regions of interest were assessed using 3 T magnetic resonance imaging and a voxel-based morphometry approach in 23 patients with MACS, 21 patients with active CS, 27 patients with CS in remission, and 21 control subjects. Cognitive functions were assessed using validated questionnaires. RESULTS: Patients with MACS had smaller left thalamic (F = 3.8, p = 0.023), left posterior thalamic (F = 4.9, p = 0.01), left medial thalamic (F = 4.7, p = 0.028), and right lateral thalamic (F = 4.1, p = 0.025) volumes than control subjects. Patients with active CS also had smaller left thalamic (F = 3.8, p = 0.044), left posterior thalamic (F = 4.9, p = 0.007), left medial thalamic (F = 4.7, p = 0.006), and right lateral thalamic (F = 4.1, p = 0.042) volumes compared to controls. Patients with CS in remission had smaller left medial (F = 4.7, p = 0.030) and right lateral thalamic (F = 4.1, p = 0.028) volumes than controls. Neuropsychological tests showed no difference between the groups. CONCLUSION: MACS may decrease thalamic volume.

Should chromosomal analysis be performed routinely during the baseline evaluation of the gender affirmation process? The outcomes of a large cohort of gender dysphoric individuals.

The role of genetics in the etiology of gender dysphoria (GD) is an important yet understudied area. Yet whether genetic analysis should be carried out during the gender affirmation process at all is a matter of debate. This study aims to evaluate the cytogenetic and molecular genetic findings of individuals with GD. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of individuals with GD who were followed up in a tertiary clinic. After the exclusion criteria were applied, the study sample consisted of 918 individuals with GD; 691 of whom had female-to-male (FtM) and 227 male-to-female (MtF) GD. The cytogenetic analysis revealed that 223 out of 227 (98.2%) individuals with MtF GD had the 46,XY karyotype, while 683 out of 691 (98.8%) individuals with FtM GD had the 46,XX karyotype. In the Y chromosome microdeletion analysis, azospermic factor c (AZFc) deletion was detected in only two individuals with MtF GD. Our findings suggest that there are few chromosomal abnormalities in individuals with GD. Thus, this research calls into question both the role of chromosomal abnormalities in GD etiology and why the application of chromosomal analysis is in Turkey a routine part of the baseline evaluation of GD.

Problem-solving therapy can reduce psychological distress in patients with Cushing's disease: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of online group problem-solving therapy (PST) for reducing negative problem orientation (NPO), psychological distress, and increasing quality of life in patients with Cushing's disease (CD). METHODS: In this randomized trial, we allocated 55 eligible patients to either PST (n = 28) or treatment as usual (TAU) (n = 27) groups. The analyses primarily relied on intent-to-treat (ITT) principle and were repeated with intervention completers (per-protocol analyses). Social problem-solving inventory-revised short form, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), The Satisfaction with Life Scale, and Cushing's Quality of Life scale were used. Pre-test, post-test, and follow-up measures were obtained. Linear mixed models were used to compare PST and treatment as usual (TAU) groups across time. RESULTS: Of the total 55 patients with CD, the mean age was 46 ± 12 years, 49 patients (89%) were female, and 41 patients (74.5%) were in remission. The patients within the PST and TAU groups were similar in terms of age, sex, and disease activity. ITT analyses showed a greater reduction of NPO scores in patients who received PST as compared to patients who received usual care (df = 45.9, p = 0.029, Cohen's d = 0.47). The decrease in NPO was sustained at follow-up (mean difference: - 2.2, p = 0.007). Results of the ITT analyses revealed no superior benefits of the intervention for psychological distress. However, per-protocol analyses demonstrated that PST provided a greater decrease in BDI, PSS, and GHQ-12 scores. CONCLUSION: PST may decrease NPO and improve the psychological well-being of patients with CD.

The Psychological Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic was expected to have traumatic effects and increase the anxiety levels of inflamma- tory bowel disease patients. METHODS: We aimed to investigate the psychosocial effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on patients with inflammatory bowel disease by revealing the risk perception for present disease, coping strategies, follow-up characteristics, and treatment adher- ence. This is a cross-sectional, web-based survey study including 798 inflammatory bowel disease patients who were followed at our outpatient clinic and 303 volunteer who did not have any known chronic diseases and were not health professionals were included as the control group. RESULTS: In this study, 281 of the patients were diagnosed with Crohn's disease and 215 with ulcerative colitis. The mean age of patients with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and the control group were 40.9 ± 13.1, 42.3 ± 12.7, and 39.9 ± 11.6, respectively. Here, 119 (42%) of the Crohn's disease cases, 116 (54%) of the ulcerative colitis cases, and 170 (56%) of the control group were male. Among the 3 groups, coronavirus disease 2019-related post-traumatic stress disorder rates (Impact of Event Scale-Revised > 33) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory of current status of anxiety-related anxiety rates were not statistically different while State-Trait Anxiety Inventory of anxiety tendency-related constant anxiety was higher in inflammatory bowel disease patients than the control group (P < .017). CONCLUSION: Inflammatory bowel disease patients with anxiety have a lower quality of life, and this may worsen the clinical course of the disease. Coronavirus disease 2019 is a major source of stress for such a vulnerable population. During the pandemic, psychological support and mental health awareness should be made accessible to all individuals.

Fertility Desire and Motivation Among Individuals with Gender Dysphoria: A Comparative Study.

Despite receiving Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy or Gender-Affirming Surgery, which may adversely impact their fertility, people with Gender Dysphoria (GD) may desire to form families. In this study, we aimed to quantitatively display fertility desire from the perspective of these individuals, despite all the legal challenges they face. The single center, cross-sectional comparative study included individuals with GD and cisgender volunteers. A Sociodemographic Data Form, the Fertility Desire Data Form, the Childbearing Motivations Scale and the Fertility Desire Scale were used. Of the 414 participants, 171 were individuals with GD (110 FtM; 61 MtF) and 243 were cisgender volunteers (142 cis-males; 101 cis-females). While 22% of the people with GD stated that they had regrets about not undergoing fertility preservation, 16% stated that they would like this process if it were legal. People with GD, particularly MtF, want to have children more than cisgenders. Moreover, people with MtF exhibited less negative motivations toward becoming parents, despite having reservations regarding the socioeconomic aspect of parenthood. Our findings indicate that fertility desire in people with GD is not less in comparison to cisgender people. Healthcare professionals should not forget to offer fertility preservation options as part of clinical practice before Gender-Affirming Therapy.

An Evaluation of the Factors Related to Internet Gaming Disorder in Young Adults.

Background: Game addiction is a growing problem all over the world. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and psychological, social, and behavioral effects of internet gaming disorder (IGD) on young adults. Methods: A preliminary study was conducted and the game types most commonly played on the internet were determined. Then, approximately 60 gaming site managers were contacted. After obtaining consent, the questionnaires were sent to gaming site members and they were asked to complete the questionnaires. Data were collected through a sociodemographic form, Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS9-SF), Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Findings: The study was conducted with 613 participants. The age of the participants ranged from 15 to 30 years, with a mean age of 20.80±4.63 years. The prevalence of IGD was 10% (n=67). Those with low-income families and low academic performance were identified as more likely to develop IGD. Moreover, IGD was revealed to be more likely in individuals with fewer close friends, playing games from an early age, and those with a habit of devoting extensive time to watching online game videos on Twitch or YouTube. In addition, the risk of gaming disorder was approximately two times higher in individuals who preferred First Person Shooter (FPS) games and Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPG). Conclusion: The results of this study could be useful for estimating the level of IGD and carrying out more comprehensive studies to possibly be able to control IGD.

How Dialysis Patients Cope with a Curfew? A Comparison of Psychological Status between Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: There are many differences between hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) treatments, including their impact on the psychological status of the patients. In this study, our aim was to compare the psychological statuses of HD and PD patients during the social isolation period due to the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We conducted this cross-sectional study on adult HD and PD patients when the curfew measures were in effect. We used an electronic form composed of 3 sections to collect data. In the first section, we collected data on the demographics and clinical and laboratory parameters of the patients. The second and third sections consisted of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) questionnaires, respectively. RESULTS: The HD (n = 116) and PD (n = 130) groups were similar regarding age and sex, and they had similar HADS anxiety scores. HADS depression scores were higher in PD patients (p = 0.052). IES-R scores were significantly higher in PD patients in comparison to HD patients (p = 0.001). Frequencies of abnormal HADS-anxiety (p = 0.035) and severe psychological impact (p = 0.001) were significantly higher in PD patients. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: During the social isolation period due to the COVID-19 pandemic, HD patients had better mood profiles than PD patients. A more stable daily routine, an uninterrupted face-to-face contact with health-care workers, and social support among patients in the in-center dialysis environment might be the cause of the favorable mood status. PD patients might need additional psychological support during those periods.

TransCOVID: Does Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy Play a Role in Contracting COVID-19?

Based on the possible effects of androgens on the course of COVID-19, it can be posited that Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT) may affect the course of the disease in people with GD. We aimed to investigate the relationship between GAHT and contracting COVID-19, as well as the severity of the disease in individuals with Gender Dysphoria (GD). The single center, cross-sectional, web-based survey was completed by people with GD who received GAHT. The questionnaire contained three parts: a sociodemographic data form; a GAHT data form; a COVID-19-related data form. Of the 238 participants, 179 were individuals with female-to-male (FtM) and 59 male-to-female (MtF) GD. We detected that the risk of contracting COVID-19 increased 3.46 times in people with FtM GD, who had received testosterone therapy, in comparison to people with MtF GD, who received estrogen and anti-androgen therapy. Additionally, people with FtM GD who contracted COVID-19 had received longer testosterone therapy when compared to those who did not contract COVID-19. Our findings indicate that individuals with FtM GD who receive testosterone treatment within the scope of GAHT are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 and that the clinicians who follow-up on GAHT should be more careful about this issue.

Endocrinological Follow-Up Characteristics of People Diagnosed with Gender Dysphoria in Turkey.

Purpose: Various problems related to the gender-affirming therapy (GAT) can adversely affect both the physical and mental health of people diagnosed with gender dysphoria (GD). In this study, we aimed to highlight the reasons for loss to follow-up during the gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), which is an important component of GAT. Methods: People diagnosed with GD who were followed for GAHT between January 2014 and June 2019 (female-to-male: 349; male-to-female: 89) were enrolled. The prepared questionnaire was administered to participants at routine follow-up visits. We arranged tele-interviews for those who did not attend the follow-up visits. Results: During GAHT process, the health problems most frequently reported by people diagnosed with GD were related to mental health. The most important factors in regular follow-up were the completion of legal procedures in Turkey required for GAT and citizenship alteration, financial barriers, lack of time for clinical visits, and dissatisfaction with health care setting. In addition, we found that the frequency of desire for supervised GAHT and family support were higher in regularly followed people diagnosed with GD. On the contrary, self-initiation of GAHT and mental disorders were more common in people diagnosed with GD lost to follow-up. Conclusion: The present study provides important information regarding the reasons for loss to follow-up during GAT in Turkey. Elucidation of reasons for loss to follow-up can aid in identifying the gaps in medical care, improve compliance, and outcomes of people diagnosed with GD.

Psychosocial effects and clinic reflections of the COVID-19 outbreak in patients with acromegaly and Cushing's disease.

PURPOSE: Patients with acromegaly and Cushing's disease (CD) may experience significant problems related to the COVID-19 outbreak. We aimed to investigate the psychosocial effects of the pandemic and reveal the follow-up characteristics. METHODS: The single center, cross-sectional, web-based survey study included patients with acromegaly and CD, PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients and healthy volunteers without known any chronic disease. The semi-structured sociodemographic data form, The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) were used. RESULTS: We examined 583 people (217 acromegaly, 127 CD, 102 PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients and 137 healthy controls). The frequency of abnormal state anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were similar in patients with acromegaly and CD and healthy controls, and higher in PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients than in these three groups (p < 0.001 for both). The frequency of abnormal trait anxiety was higher in patients with acromegaly and PCR-confirmed COVID-19 compared to patients with CD and healthy controls (p = 0.027, p < 0.001, respectively). There were no significant differences between the acromegaly and CD groups in terms of follow-up characteristics and perception of the severity of the COVID-19 outbreak (p > 0.05 for all). But, the treatment discontinuation rate was higher in patients with acromegaly than CD (p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that acromegaly and CD patients are psychologically less affected than PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients and exhibit similar findings the general population. The clinicians should consider the psychosocial effects, as well as focus on the regular follow-up and medical treatments of these patients during the outbreak.

2D:4D Digit Ratios in Adults with Gender Dysphoria: A Comparison to Their Unaffected Same-Sex Heterosexual Siblings, Cisgender Heterosexual Men, and Cisgender Heterosexual Women.

We compared gender dysphoria (GD) patients and their same-sex siblings in terms of their 2D:4D ratios, which may reflect prenatal exposure to androgen, one of the possible etiological mechanisms underlying GD. Sixty-eight GD patients (46 Female-to-Male [FtM]; 22 Male-to-Female [MtF]), 68 siblings (46 sisters of FtMs; 22 brothers of MtFs), and 118 heterosexual controls (62 female; 56 male) were included in the study. FtMs were gynephilic and MtFs were androphilic. We found that 2D:4D ratios in the both right hand (p < .001) and the left hand (p = .003) were lower in male controls than in female controls. Regarding right hands, FtM GD patients had lower 2D:4D ratios than female controls (p < .001) but their ratios did not differ from those of their sisters or male controls. FtM GD patients had no significant difference in their left-hand 2D:4D ratios compared to their sisters or female and male controls. While there was no significant difference in right hands between FtM's sisters and male controls, left-hand 2D:4D ratios were significantly higher in FtM's sisters (p = .017). MtF GD patients had lower right-hand 2D:4D ratios than female controls (p <.001), but their right-hand ratios did not differ from those of their brothers and male controls. There was no significant difference in left-hand 2D:4D ratios between MtF GD patients, and their brothers, or female and male controls. FtM GD patients showed significantly masculinized right-hand 2D:4D ratios, while there was no evidence of feminization in MtF GD patients.

Characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 inpatients who underwent psychiatric consultations.

Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 are at risk of developing many neuropsychiatric disorders, due to the effects of the disease on the brain and the psychosocial pressures of having the disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of patients who were hospitalized with a diagnosis of COVID-19, who underwent psychiatric consultations. The medical records of 892 patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 and the 89 among them who requested psychiatric consultations were analyzed retrospectively. After the psychiatric consultations, patients were most frequently diagnosed with delirium (38.2 %), adjustment disorder (27.0 %), depressive disorder (19.1 %) and anxiety disorder (11.2 %). Patients with delirium had longer hospital stays (p < 0.001), were transferred more frequently to intensive care units (p < 0.001), and had higher mortality rates during their hospital stays (p < 0.001), than all other patients. The need for oxygen (p < 0.001) and mechanical ventilation (p < 0.001) was also significantly higher in delirium patients, as well as in patients who received other psychiatric diagnoses. Neuropsychiatric disorders develop in patients receiving inpatient treatments in COVID-19 wards, and these disorders negatively affect the prognosis of COVID-19. Our findings suggest that the presence of neuropsychiatric disorders in in-patients with COVID-19 might be associated with the negative outcomes of the disease.