[Questions and challenges in the diagnostics of gender identity disorder. Review and case vignettes].

Professionals working in the field of psychiatry have recently been increasingly encountering patients seeking help who define themselves as transsexual. Gender identity and gender self-expression of transsexual people do not match their biological sex, and they also feel an intense desire and urge to change their officially registered gender at birth and their physical appearance - even by using hormone therapy or surgery. In their case, the diagnosis of gender identity disorder as a disease category enables the use of medical interventions and health services necessary for transition. At the same time, the diagnosis is complicated by the fact that there is currently no specific psychodiagnostic procedure suitable for the clear identification of gender identity disorder, and gender incongruence can also appear as a symptom of many other mental disorders. Therefore, careful differential diagnosis is essential to establish a well-founded diagnosis, with the help of this literature review that summarizes other mental illnesses with similar symptoms as well as the more common comorbid pathologies.

Voice And Gender Incongruence: Relationship Between Vocal Self-Perception And Mental Health Of Trans Women.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the association between vocal perception and Common Mental Disorders (CMD) suspicion in trans women. METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study including 24 adult trans women with a minimum time of presentation as a woman of six months. The sampling of the subjects was supported by the "Snowball" technique. Three questionnaires were applied for data collection: sociodemographic and health data, Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) and Trans Woman Voice Questionnaire (TWVQ). The sociodemographic and health data collected were: age, marital status, education, smoking habits, speech therapy, use of hormones, and whether they had undergone Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRG). SRQ-20 was used for suspicion of CMD evaluation, such as depressive and anxiety symptoms. TWVQ is a vocal self-report questionnaire for trans women living the full-time gender role in which they self-identify. TWVQ has a minimum score of 30 points and a maximum of 120 points. Higher scores are associated with perceptions of a higher frequency of voice-related difficulties and psychosocial impacts. For statistical analysis, data were analyzed descriptively and statistically using Fisher's and Mann-Whitney's exact tests, both with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: The average participants' age in this study was 28.2 years old (SD = 6.5 / minimum = 21 and maximum = 48); 83.3% were single; most (41.7%) were high school graduates; and most (95.83%) had not undergone Sex Reassignment Surgery. All subjects reported using hormones; 37.5% were smokers; 4.2% had undergone speech therapy; and the average number of years of experience in the female role was 8.8 years (SD = 7.2). The average TWVQ score was 55.4 points (SD = 4.3). Through SRQ-20, it was verified the prevalence of suspected CMD in 58.3% of the participants. The study results indicated that communicative dissatisfaction in trans women due to inconsistent voice with the recognized gender is associated with probable CMD such as depression and anxiety (P= 0.001). CONCLUSION: Trans women who reported greater difficulties and voice-related effects in their lives had more symptoms of anxiety and depression. Although more research is needed, results indicate the need for inter-professional preventive and therapeutic actions directed towards assisting trans women. This fact encourages reflection on the care of this population and the role of health professionals, enhancing scientific production, clinical practice and the inclusion of the "transsexuality" theme in Speech Language and Hearing Sciences.

Comparison of Cervical Cancer Screen Results on Female-to-Male Transgender Patients With Female Patients.

OBJECTIVES: There are limited data on cervical screen results from female-to-male (FTM) transgender patients. Herein, we compiled demographic information and cervical screen testing on FTM transgender patients and compared with age-appropriate controls. METHODS: A search of our previous and current databases was performed for Papanicolaou (Pap) tests from patients taking testosterone and/or with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria, transsexualism, or transvestism. Patient data were reviewed. Relative risks of abnormal Pap smear and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection were calculated against age-matched controls. RESULTS: Eighty-nine Pap tests from FTM transgender individuals were identified, with a mean age of 31.3 years (range, 21-60 years). The Pap test diagnoses were distributed as follows: negative for intraepithelial lesion (n = 84, 94.4%), atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (n = 0), low-grade intraepithelial lesion (n = 4, 4.5%), and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (n = 1, 1.1%). Fifty (56.2%) patients had concurrent high-risk HPV testing with four (8%) positive results. Relative risk was 0.625 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.25-1.59; P = .32) for an abnormal Pap test and 0.55 (95% CI, 0.19-1.52; P = .24) for HPV compared with 267 age-matched controls. Of note, 13.5% of patients older than 21 years had documentation of never having a prior Pap test in our medical record. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, FTM transgender individuals were not at a higher or lower risk of HPV infection or abnormal Pap test result compared with women. However, larger studies are needed to support our findings.

Corpo da criança, corpo do adulto: um olhar sobre as revisões diagnósticas que compõem fronteiras entre pessoas trans / Child's body, adult's body: a look at the diagnostic reviews that make up boundaries between trans people / Corpo del niño, corpo del adulto: una mirada sobre las revisiones diagnósticas que componen las fronteras entre personas trans

Resumo A categoria "criança trans" passou a aparecer com mais recorrência em manuais diagnósticos ao longo dos últimos oito anos. Embora a transexualidade antes fosse entendida como uma questão geral, possível de ser encontrada em diferentes etapas da vida, essa identidade passou a ser descrita enquanto um gênero específico para meninos e meninas. Assim, a transexualidade "na" infância converteu-se em uma transexualidade "da" infância, deslocamento responsável por produzir efeitos expressivos. Ao passo que a criança trans era registrada na literatura médica como um sujeito que demandava tratamentos em saúde mental, esse movimento fez com que fossem fabricadas determinadas fronteiras entre infância e adultez. A proposta deste artigo é perseguir alguns caminhos que demonstram como a estratificação etária da transexualidade recorreu a um engessamento do gênero.

Abstract The category "trans children" has appeared more frequently in diagnostic manuals over the past eight years. Although transsexuality was once understood as a general issue that could be found at different stages of life, this identity has come to be described as a gender specifically for boys and girls. Thus, transsexuality "in" childhood was understood as being "of" childhood, displacement responsible for producing expressive effects. While the trans child was recorded in the medical literature as a subject that required mental health treatments, this movement led to the establishment of certain boundaries between childhood and adulthood. This article's purpose is to follow some paths that illustrate how age stratification of transsexuality resorted to gender crystallization.

Resumen La categoría "niño trans" empezó a aparecer de forma recurrente en los manuales diagnósticos a lo largo de los últimos ocho años. Aunque la transexualidad fuera entendida como una cuestión general, posible de ser encontrada en diferentes etapas de la vida, esta identidad pasó a ser descrita como un género específico para niños y niñas. De esta manera, la transexualidad "en" la niñez fue entendida como transexualidad "de" la niñez, desplazamiento responsable por producir efectos expresivos. A la vez que el niño trans fue registrado en la literatura médica como un sujeto que demandaba tratamiento para la salud mental, este movimiento fabricó determinadas fronteras entre la niñez y la adultez. La proposta del presente artículo es perseguir algunos caminos que ilustran cómo la estratificación por edad recurrió a un retesamiento del género.

Approach to Interpreting Common Laboratory Pathology Tests in Transgender Individuals.

CONTEXT: As the number of transgender (trans) people (including those who are binary and/or nonbinary identified) seeking gender-affirming hormone therapy rises, endocrinologists are increasingly asked to assist with interpretation of laboratory tests. Many common laboratory tests such as hemoglobin, iron studies, cardiac troponin, and creatinine are affected by sex steroids or body size. We seek to provide a summary of the impact of feminizing and masculinizing hormone therapy on common laboratory tests and an approach to interpretation. CASES: Case scenarios discussed include 1) hemoglobin and hematocrit in a nonbinary person undergoing masculinizing hormone therapy; 2) estimation of glomerular filtration rate in a trans woman at risk of contrast-induced nephropathy; 3) prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in a trans woman; and 4) chest pain in a trans man with a cardiac troponin concentration between the reported male and female reference ranges. CONCLUSIONS: The influence of exogenous gender-affirming hormone therapy on fat and muscle distribution and other physiological changes determines interpretation of laboratory tests that have sex-specific differences. In addition to affirmative practice to ensure a patient's name, gender, and pronoun are used appropriately, we propose that once individuals have commenced gender-affirming hormone therapy, the reference range of the affirmed gender be reported (and specified by treating clinicians) except for PSA or cardiac troponin, which are dependent on organ size. While suggestions may be challenging to implement, they also represent an opportunity to lead best practice to improve the quality of care and experiences of healthcare for all trans people.

[Transsexualism and transgender medicine - what every internal specialist should know about]. / Transsexualität und Transgender-Medizin ­ Was jeder Internist wissen sollte.

The authors present current findings on transsexualism and its treatment. According to the ICD-10, transsexualism is defined as the "desire to live and be accepted as a member of the opposite sex, usually accompanied by a sense of discomfort with, or inappropriateness of, one's anatomic sex, and a wish to have surgery and hormonal treatment to make one's body as congruent as possible with one's preferred sex." Synonyms of transsexualism are terms such as gender dysphoria reflecting the distress that persons feel due to a mismatch between their gender identity and their sex assigned at birth.The prevalence of transsexualism is estimated to be about 0,6 %. The diagnosis of transsexualism is made by psychiatrists, but at least five more medical specialties (endocrinologist, surgeon, ear, nose and throat specialist, speech therapist and dermatologist) are involved when treating transsexual persons. Hormonal therapy is a very important element of the treatment process; due to the complexity of transsexualism it should be undertaken by endocrinologists with experience and expertise in this field.

Crianças e Adolescentes trans. A construção de categorias entre profissionais de saúde / Transgender Children and Adolescents. Categories construction among health professionals / Niños y Adolescentes trans. Construcción de categorias entre los profesionales de la salud

Resumo Este artigo tem por objetivo descrever e discutir os significados e concepções atribuídos por um grupo de profissionais de saúde às categorias "crianças" e "adolescentes" trans e sua relação com as práticas de cuidado por eles realizadas, privilegiando uma abordagem sociocultural sobre o cuidado. Baseia-se em uma pesquisa de abordagem etnográfica que incluiu a realização de entrevistas em profundidade com profissionais de saúde que atuam ou já atuaram em serviços especializados no atendimento de crianças e adolescentes trans e seus familiares, localizados no Estado de São Paulo. Os resultados apontam como as definições dos profissionais sobrepõem critérios biomédicos e concepções socioculturais de gênero, revelando impasses e controvérsias implicadas na avaliação diagnóstica da identidade de gênero de crianças e adolescentes em termos de fixidez e permanência.

Abastract This article describes and discusses the meanings and conceptions attributed by a group of health professionals to the categories trans "children" and "adolescents" and their relationship with the care practices performed by these professionals, prioritizing a socio-cultural approach of care. It is based on an ethnographic approach to indepth interviews with health professionals who work or have worked in specialized services in the care of trans children and adolescents and their families, located in the State of São Paulo. The results show how the professionals definitions overlap biomedical criteria and socio-cultural conceptions of gender, revealing impasses and controversies involved in the diagnostic evaluation of the gender identity of children and adolescents in terms of fixity and permanence.

Resumen El artículo pretende describir y discutir los significados y concepciones que un grupo de profesionales de la salud atribuye a las categorías "niños" y "adolescentes" trans y su relación con las prácticas de cuidado que realizan, según un enfoque sociocultural del cuidado. Se basa en una investigación de enfoque etnográfico que incluyó entrevistas en profundidad con profesionales de la salud que trabajan o han trabajado en servicios especializados en la atención de niños y adolescentes trans y sus familias, ubicados en el Estado de São Paulo. Los resultados muestran cómo las definiciones de los profesionales se superponen a los criterios biomédicos y a las concepciones socioculturales de género, revelando los impasses y las controversias que intervienen en la evaluación diagnóstica de la identidad de género de los niños y adolescentes en términos de fijeza y permanencia.

Current Concepts in Feminizing Gender Surgery.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After reading this article and viewing the video, the participant should be able to: 1. Discuss appropriate treatment guidelines, including preoperative mental health and hormonal treatment before gender-affirmation surgery. 2. Name various surgical options for facial, chest, and genital feminization. 3. Recognize key steps and anatomy during facial feminization, feminizing mammaplasty, and vaginoplasty. 4. Discuss major risks and complications of vaginoplasty. SUMMARY: Transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals may experience conflict between their gender identity and their gender assigned at birth. With recent advances in health care and societal support, appropriate treatment has become newly accessible and has generated increased demand for gender-affirming care, which is globally guided by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. This CME article reviews key terminology and standards of care, and provides an overview of various feminizing gender-affirming surgical procedures.

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and Myocardial Infarction in the Transgender Population.

BACKGROUND: As of 2016, ≈1.4 million people in the United States identify as transgender. Despite their growing number and increasing specific medical needs, there has been a lack of research on cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD risk factors in this population. Recent studies have reported that the transgender population had a significantly higher rate of CVD risk factors without a significant increase in overall CVD morbidity and mortality. These studies are limited by their small sample sizes and their predominant focus on younger transgender populations. With a larger sample size and inclusion of broader age range, our study aims to provide insight into the association between being transgender and cardiovascular risk factors, as well as myocardial infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data from 2014 to 2017 were used to evaluate the cross-sectional association between being transgender and the reported history of myocardial infarction and CVD risk factors. A logistic regression model was constructed to study the association between being transgender and myocardial infarction after adjusting for CVD risk factors including age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, chronic kidney disease, smoking, and exercise. Multivariable analysis revealed that transgender men had a >2-fold and 4-fold increase in the rate of myocardial infarction compared with cisgender men (odds ratio, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.14-5.63; P=0.02) and cisgender women (odds ratio, 4.90; 95% CI, 2.21-10.90; P<0.01), respectively. Conversely, transgender women had >2-fold increase in the rate of myocardial infarction compared with cisgender women (odds ratio, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.78-3.68; P<0.01) but did not have a significant increase in the rate of myocardial infarction compared with cisgender men. CONCLUSIONS: The transgender population had a higher reported history of myocardial infarction in comparison to the cisgender population, except for transgender women compared with cisgender men, even after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors.

[Assessment of the suppression of puberty in children with gender identity problems]. / Valoración de la supresión de la pubertad en menores con problemas de identidad de género.

The objective of this article is to reflect on the opportunity and risk of the proposed treatments to address gender identity problems in that sector of the population. In most of the protocols for the care of minors with gender identity problems, the abolition of puberty is proposed as a method of choice. This technique consists in the administration of reversible agonists of GnRH to provoke a suppression of the hormonal expression of the minor and, thus, the development of the sexual characters of their gender. The opportunity or adequacy of the systematic use of reversible GnRH agonists may be questioned for several reasons. The first, because the diagnosis of transsexualism in minors carries a great complexity and difficulty, so there is a wide margin of error. The second, because the suppression of puberty has direct consequences in the development of the child. Thirdly, because the aforementioned treatments have some risks and side effects in minors, some of them not studied and unknown, which, without a doubt, should be weighted. Finally, because the drugs used are neither designed nor experienced, for the care of minors with gender identity problems. Therefore, they are used without being approved by the regulatory agencies of the medicinal product for that purpose. These issues need to be addressed and also transmitted in the information provided to the stakeholders.

Development of systemic sclerosis in transgender females: a case series and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVES: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic, autoimmune connective tissue disease with a female predominance. The reason for the female predilection in SSc may relate to the difference in hormones between the genders. There are no current data on the influence male-to-female sex transition may have in the development of SSc. We report three patients who developed SSc after initiating the transgender process, and review current literature in regards to transgender patients with connective tissue disease (CTD). METHODS: We describe the clinical features and disease course of three transgender patients who developed SSc after their transition from male-to-female, who presented to our centre. Two additional transgender cases de- scribed in the literature with CTD were included in this review. RESULTS: All three patients developed SSc after having started the hormonal therapy required to transition. Two patients had surgical procedures preceding their diagnosis of SSc. Antibody profile, time of onset and disease features differed among our patients. Hormonal therapies were continued in all patients and they received the standard therapy for SSc. One patient died from complications of her disease. Only two cases describing the development of CTD in transgender patients were identified in the literature and both of these patients were diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). CONCLUSIONS: This case series suggests that the hormonal modification as part of gender transition may be relevant in development of SSc. No further conclusions can be drawn on the continuation or not of HT.

Clinical Characteristics in a Sample of Transsexual People / Características clínicas de uma amostra de pessoas transexuais

Abstract Purpose To assess the clinical characteristics of subjects with gender dysphoria (GD). Method A cross-sectional study of adults with GD. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Sociodemographic data, clinical data and life habits were recorded. Results Total of 44 subjects participated in the study: 36 (82%) trans women and 8 (18%) trans men. Forty-three (98%) of the GD patients had anxiety (36 [100%] trans women and 7 [87.5%] trans men), and 36 (82%) had depression (29 [80.5%] trans women and 7 [87.5%] trans men). Suicide had been attempted by 32 (73%) subjects. The rates of depression were lower among the subjects living with partners, parents, or other people than among those living alone (p = 0.03), and it was also lower among the subjects who were married compared to those who were dating or single (p = 0.03). Conclusion Improving the relationship status may reduce the prevalence of depressive symptoms in GD patients. There was a high rate of attempted suicide in this sample.

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar as características clínicas de indivíduos com disforia de gênero (DG). Método Estudo transversal com pessoas transexuais. Os sintomas de ansiedade e depressão foram medidos usando a Escala Hospitalar de Ansiedade e Depressão. Os dados sociodemográficos, os dados clínicos, e os hábitos de vida foram registrados por meio de um questionário. Resultados Um total de 44 indivíduos participou do estudo: 36 (82%)mulheres trans, e 8 (18%) homens trans. Quarenta e três (98%) destes apresentaram ansiedade, sendo 36 (100%) mulheres trans e 7 (87,5%) homens trans, e 36 (82%) apresentaram depressão, sendo 29 (80,5%) mulheres trans, e 7 (87,5%) homens trans. Um total de 32 (73%) indivíduos já haviam tentado suicídio. Os indivíduos que vivem comparceiros, pais ou outras pessoas tiveramuma menor taxa de depressão do que aqueles que vivem sozinhos (p = 0,03), e os indivíduos que eram casados tiveram uma menor taxa de depressão do que aqueles que estavam namorando ou solteiros (p = 0,03). Conclusão A melhoria do status de relacionamento pode reduzir a prevalência de sintomas depressivos empessoas transexuais. Encontrou-se uma alta taxa de tentativas de suicídio nessa amostra.

[Gender confirming surgery : Female-to-male and male-to-female]. / Genitalangleichende Operation : Frau-zu-Mann und Mann-zu-Frau.

BACKGROUND: Gender confirming surgery (GCS) represents a new and interdisciplinary urological field of activity. OBJECTIVES: Based on more than 20 years of experience, the development of interdisciplinary strategies in the surgical management of male-to-female (MtF) and female-to-male (FtM) transgenders is summarized. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The current national and international literature, as well as the surgical experience of the authors in the field of GCS, were evaluated, and aspects relevant for urologists are presented in a comprehensive review. RESULTS: Since 1990 more than 1200 primary GCS in MtF transgenders and more than 230 primary GCS in FtM transgenders have been performed in the authors' institutions. Presuming an incidence of at least 1:20,000 for patients with gender dysphoria (GD) in the general population, the overall number of patients is limited. The complex surgical procedures should be realized in an interdisciplinary team, trained and specialized in this field of surgery, given the high rate of complications and secondary procedures with MtF GCS. CONCLUSION: Postoperative satisfaction rates of FtM and MtF transgenders at over 80% are satisfactory. During the last few decades, surgical procedures have been widely standardized. In the field of penile reconstruction, the free forearm lap represents the preferred method, while several surgical alternatives arise from the current literature in this field.

Anterior Glottic Web Formation for Voice Feminization: Experience of 27 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Voice feminization is needed for male-to-female transsexuals, males with testicular feminization, and females with constitutional androphonia. Anterior glottic web formation affords advantages: endoscopic surgery without skin incision and scar, outpatient surgery, potential reversibility, and low risk for vocal fold and airway damage. STUDY DESIGN: This is a nonrandomized prospective cohort study. SETTING: University hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All 27 cases of androphonia were treated with endoscopic anterior glottic web formation. Voice Handicap Index (VHI-30); acoustic analysis with /a/ including F0, jitter, shimmer, noise-to-harmonic ratio; and acoustic analysis of connected speech for speaking F0 were determined pre- and postoperatively. Patients and medical students rated pre- and postoperative voices as feminine, masculine, or neither. RESULTS: The pre- and postoperative mean total VHI scores of patients were 38 and 24, respectively; this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Their pre- and postoperative mean F0 and speaking F0 were 152 and 158 and 195 and 200 Hz, respectively; these differences were statistically significant (P < 0.001). Their pre- and postoperative acoustic analysis results were not significantly different (P > 0.05). Seven patients (26%) needed laser reduction glottoplasty for voice feminization because they were not satisfied with the voice result. Patients' self-evaluations of their postoperative voice revealed 20 feminine, 2 masculine, and 5 neither results, giving a rise to patient satisfaction rate of 74%. Medical students rated 85% of postoperative voice samples as feminine, giving rise to overall success rate of 85%. CONCLUSION: Anterior commissure web formation is a successful surgical option for voice feminization. However, additional surgery may be necessary for patient satisfaction.

Transsexual Voice Questionnaire for Male-to-female Brazilian Transsexual People.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to verify the answers to the transsexual voice questionnaire for male-to-female transsexual (TVQMtF) people given to individuals who participated in the Gender Identity Program (PROTIG) at the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil, in relation to some of their demographic characteristics, visual-perceptual evaluations of the face, laryngeal prominence, and auditoryperceptual judgments of voice. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 47 transsexual women aged between 18 and 50 responded to the (TVQMtF). The demographic data and perceptual ratings were selected from the PROTIG database. RESULTS: Among all participants, 55.32% had completed secondary education, and 72.34% had not undergone a sex reassignment surgery; 4.2% of subjects did not use hormones, 23.40% had undergone speech therapy, the average number of years of experience in the female role was 13.98 years, and the participants had been definitively cross-dressing for 5-34 years. Most of the participants had low scores on the (TVQMtF), and significant differences in the total score were observed in accordance with age (higher scores were observed among those <30 years and ≥40 years old) and visual-perceptual evaluations of the face (higher scores were observed in the individual evaluated with masculine face). There were no significant correlations between the total score obtained by the participants and the other demographic variables. CONCLUSIONS: Although most of the participants had low scores on the (TVQMtF), some individuals were still experiencing distress due to being perceived as being of the opposite sex or were dissatisfied with their voices.

Risk of hormonotherapy in transgender people: Literature review and data from the French Database of Pharmacovigilance.

OBJECTIVE: After the diagnosis of transsexualism, hormone therapy is an established stage of gender identity disorder treatment for inducing secondary sex characteristic development of the target gender while reducing that of the birth sex. The aim of this study was to review existing data about the risk of hormone therapy in transsexual people. METHODS: A PubMed search was done to identify relevant data about adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and mortality associated to hormones exposure. Furthermore, case reports of hormonal therapy-induced ADRs were identified in the French Pharmacovigilance DataBase (FPDB). RESULTS: Review of currently available data showed an increase of thromboembolic effects and hyperprolactinemia with oestrogens. Both oestrogens and testosterone derivatives could induce hepatic effects. Currently, there is no significant association between hormone exposure and cancer or mortality in transsexual people. Five ADRs were found in FPDB, and two of them were related to misuse (voluntary overdose and prescription error). CONCLUSION: Potential for under-reporting and under-identification in the FPDB of hormonal therapy-induced ADRs in transsexual people should be underlined. Technical improvement of the FPDB could facilitate further identification of reports concerning the risk associated with hormonal therapy in transsexual subjects.