Participation of transgender and gender diverse persons in cardiovascular clinical trials.

Study objective: Transgender persons face increased risk in developing cardiovascular diseases due to administration of hormonal therapy used for gender expression, or due to the presence of other risk factors, such as minority stress and difficulty to have full access to health care. Even though the need for gender diversity in research has been identified, the number of clinical trials including transgender persons remains low. The aim of this study was to highlight gaps in inclusion of transgender individuals in cardiovascular clinical research. Design setting: A search in the pubmed.com database, as well as in the clinicaltrials.gov repository, was performed with search terms regarding transgender persons and cardiovascular diseases. Main outcome measures: The inclusion of transgender persons in cardiovascular clinical trials was evaluated. Results and conclusions: This study revealed that there is only a small number of cardiovascular clinical trials including or studying transgender persons. This finding demonstrates the overall lack of clinical trials regarding cardiovascular health in transgender individuals and is indicative of their under-representation in clinical research.

Isolated and combined breast augmentation in transgender patients: Multi-institutional insights into early outcomes and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: The increasing demand for gender-affirming surgery (GAS) in transgender and gender-diverse healthcare highlights the importance of breast augmentation surgery (BAS) for transfeminine patients. Despite its significance, there is a lack of research on postoperative outcomes of BAS. METHODS: We analyzed the multi-institutional American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) (2008-2021) database to identify female transgender individuals (TGIs) who underwent BAS surgery, both isolated and combined with concurrent GAS procedures. We evaluated 30-day outcomes, including the incidence of mortality, reoperation, readmission as well as surgical and medical complication occurrence. RESULTS: Of 1699 female TGIs, 92% underwent isolated BAS and 7.7% underwent combined BAS. The mean age and body mass index (BMI) were 36 ± 12 years and 27 ± 6.6 kg/m2, respectively. Isolated BAS showed a 2.8% complication rate, while combined BAS had a higher rate with 9.1%. Specifically, all complications occurred in patients undergoing BAS with concurrent genitourinary surgery (n = 85; 14%), whereas no adverse events were recorded after combined BAS and facial feminization (n = 19) or chondrolaryngoplasty (n = 19). In patients seeking combined BAS, advanced age (p = 0.05) and nicotine abuse (p = 0.004) were identified as risk factors predisposing to adverse events, whereas American Society of Anesthesiology class 1 was found to be protective (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Isolated BAS in TGIs demonstrates a positive safety profile. Combined surgeries, particularly with genitourinary procedures, pose higher risks. Identifying risk factors such as smoking and advanced age is crucial for patient selection and surgical planning. These findings can aid in refining patient eligibility and inform surgical decision-making for BAS.

Gender Identity Disclosure and Healthcare Services Uptake Among Chinese Transgender Individuals in China: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose: Culture and stigma-relevant issues discourage transgender individuals in China from gender identity disclosure, which may limit their access to comprehensive health care services. This study evaluates how gender identity disclosure to healthcare professionals would facilitate healthcare services in China. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in nine cities across mainland China from December 2019 to June 2020 among transgender individuals. Participants completed questions covering socio-demographic information, Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus and Sexually Transmitted Infections (HIV/STI) testing habits, sexual risk behaviors, and access to medical and mental health services for the past 3 months. Results: A total of 277 eligible transgender individuals with a mean age of 29 ± 8 years old completed the survey. Overall, 56.0% (155/277) had disclosed their gender identity to health professionals. 83.9% had ever tested for HIV (with HIV prevalence of 12.9%), 54.2% had tested for STIs, 62.6% had used hormone therapy, and 12.3% had undergone gender-affirming surgery. Multivariable logistic regression showed that participants who had ever disclosed their gender identity to healthcare professionals were more likely to have tested for STIs (aOR = 1.94, 95%CI: 1.12-3.39) and HIV (aOR = 1.72, 95% CI 0.82-3.39), received hormone intervention therapy (aOR = 2.81, 95%CI: 1.56-5.05), and used pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) (aOR= 3.51, 95%CI: 1.12-10.97) compared to non-disclosers. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated strong correlations between gender identity disclosure and healthcare services usage among Chinese transgender individuals. Facilitating the gender identity disclosure of transgender individuals to healthcare professionals with caution would be useful for improving their access to care.

Barriers to Healthcare for Transgender Individuals.

Background: Transgender (TG) clients experience provider bias, erasure, refusal to treat, and violence. Objective: The purpose of this article is to identify barriers to healthcare for TG individuals and discuss recommendations for providers treating this population. Methods: Literature review of prime research was conducted using the Whittemore and Knafl methodology (2005). Results: Evidence suggests that barriers to TG healthcare include lack of provider TG knowledge and trans sensitivity, lack of provider communication, and lack of emotional and physical safe healthcare environments. Conclusions: TG clients face barriers to accessing healthcare, and specific recommendations to improve provider practice will decrease these barriers. Implications for Practice: Lack of provider education affects TG individuals accessing quality healthcare. Recommendations to improve provider practice are essential to improve care.

Prevalence and correlates of current cigarette smoking among transgender women in Argentina.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of current cigarette smoking among transgender women in Argentina, and to examine the unique associations of current cigarette smoking with demographic and psychosocial factors. Methods: This study is a secondary data analysis of the TransCITAR - a prospective cohort study of transgender individuals living in Buenos Aires, Argentina - baseline data. The baseline survey collected information on sociodemographic characteristics, perceived health status, depressive symptoms, suicide attempts, current cigarette smoking, alcohol use disorder, and substance use. Participants were also asked about lifetime experiences of physical and sexual violence perpetrated by partners, clients and/or the police, and experiences of gender identity stigma in the past year from healthcare workers and the police. Lastly, participants were asked if they had ever been arrested. Fisher's exact test was used to compare proportions in categorical variables and student t-test was used for continuous variables. Significant associations with current cigarette smoking were tested in a logistic regression model adjusted for all significant associations. Results: A total of 41.7% of participants (n = 393) reported current cigarette smoking. Compared to their non-smoking counterparts, participants who reported current cigarette smoking (1) had completed less education, (2) were more likely to be born in Argentina, (3) more likely to had migrated to Buenos Aires from other parts of the country, (4) more likely to report a history of sex work, (5) more likely to perceive their health as excellent, (6) more likely to screen positive for hazardous alcohol drinking, (7) more likely to report any substance and cocaine use in the past year, (8) more likely to experience gender identity stigma from the police in the past year, and (9) more likely to being arrested in their lifetime (all p's < 0.05). After controlling for all significant associations, education level of less than high school (AOR = 1.79, 95% CI 1.02-2.12), hazardous drinking (AOR = 2.65, 95% CI 1.30-5.37), and any substance use in the last year (AOR = 2.14, 95% CI 1.16-3.94) were positively and independently associated with current cigarette smoking. Conclusion: Among transgender women in Argentina, current cigarette smoking was more than double the rate for cisgender women. Current cigarette smoking was associated with education, hazardous drinking, and any drug use. These results will inform future smoking cessation interventions among transgender women in Argentina.

Changes in Health Insurance During COVID-19 Among a U.S. National Cohort of Cisgender Gay and Bisexual Men and Transgender Individuals.

The extant data suggest that LGBT communities were disproportionately impacted by the economic ramifications of the pandemic and were more likely to report being uninsured throughout the first two years of the pandemic. Additionally, these groups are at heightened vulnerability for several health conditions that require insurance to manage or prevent. Thus, there is a need to assess changes in pandemic-era insurance coverage among these populations. This study uses data collected as part of the Together 5,000 study, a U.S. national, internet-based cohort study of cisgender men, trans men, and trans women who have sex with men. We analyze insurance data across three different assessments between 2019 and 2021, exploring changes in insurance coverage and type. Among our sample, 6.4% lost their insurance in 2020 because of the pandemic. Insurance loss was associated with living in a state that had not expanded Medicaid, race/ethnicity, employment status, and income. Among those who lost their insurance in early 2020, most (59.2%) reported gaining insurance by 2021, with those living in non-expanded states less likely to gain insurance. Finally, those who were uninsured prior to the pandemic were less likely to report gaining insurance by 2021, when compared to those uninsured as a result of the pandemic. This suggests that there are uninsured cisgender gay and bisexual men and transgender individuals that continue to go unreached by policies to assuage uninsurance. Further policy intervention is needed to address uninsurance among LGBT individuals, which has important implications for addressing health disparities among these populations.

The attitude of medical undergraduate students from North India toward transgender and change thereafter by educational intervention.

Background: There is a widespread gap among medical professionals about transgender, and it needs to be addressed through proper educational intervention to inculcate positive attitudes toward transgender people. Aim: This study aimed to assess the attitude of medical undergraduate students toward transgender and change thereafter by educational intervention. Materials and Methods: A total of 169 final-year undergraduate students (aged 22-25 years; 50.3% males; all having heterosexual orientation) were assessed for their attitudes toward transgender people using the Genderism and Transphobia Scale (GTS) and Attitude toward Transgender Individuals Scale (ATTIS). Subsequently, an educational intervention was conducted. The attitude scores were again evaluated immediately and after one month of post-intervention. A paired t-test, independent-samples t-test, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to compare the data. Results: Mean ATTIS and GTS scores before intervention were 67.02 ± 9.20 and 80.84 ± 26.07, respectively. After the educational intervention, these scores were 79.27 ± 7.18 and 63.20 ± 12.11, respectively, thus showing a significant change in both scores. The change in GTS score was significantly higher in males than in females (P < 0.001) and in urban than in rural residents (P = 0.017). No significant association of demographic factors was observed concerning the change in ATTIS scores. On evaluating the recall value, no significant decline in GTS or ATTIS scores was observed following a one month of interval. Conclusion: There is a need to positively reinforce these changes brought about by educational intervention in the attitude of undergraduate medical students toward transgender people. Such cognitive gains are achievable in developing a humanistic society.

Construção do nome social de pessoas trans e aspectos relacionados em um município de porte médio do Sul do Brasil / The construction behind chosen names of transgender individuals and related aspects in a medium-sized city in the South of Brazil

Resumo O trabalho analisou o processo de construção do nome social e aspectos relacionados em pessoas trans de um município de porte médio do Sul do Brasil. Foram utilizados dados qualitativos de um estudo de método misto descritivo e exploratório. Incluíram-se pessoas autodeclaradas trans com 18 anos ou mais. Foram conduzidos três grupos focais com dez participantes. Estes, com idade variando entre 19 e 52 anos, apresentam nome social documentado, porém metade ainda não fez a alteração nos registros civis. A técnica da análise de conteúdo produziu duas categorias: "construção do nome social como instrumento de validação da identidade trans" e "impactos da construção do nome social na autoaceitação e nas relações familiares e sociais". Os resultados reforçam a importância do respeito ao nome como forma de contribuição para a afirmação de gênero de sujeitos trans. O nome esteve atrelado às suas vivências, individualidades e valores. Seu uso adequado, muito mais do que o cumprimento de uma legislação, significou respeito às possibilidades diversas da existência humana. Espera-se que os resultados apresentados possam ser utilizados como ferramenta de reconhecimento acerca das questões e nuances que permeiam a construção do nome social, bem como contribuam para a validação identitária.

Abstract This study analyzed the construction process of the chosen name and related aspects among transgender individuals from a medium-sized municipality in southern Brazil. Qualitative data from a descriptive and exploratory mixed-method study was used. Self-declared trans people aged 18 or over were included. Three focus groups were conducted with ten participants. These individuals, aged between 19 and 52 years, have a documented chosen name, but half have not yet changed their civil records. The content analysis technique produced two categories: "construction of the chosen name as an instrument for validating the transgender identity" and "impacts of the construction of the chosen name on self-acceptance and on family and social relationships." The results reinforce the importance of respecting the name as a way of contributing to the gender affirmation of transgender individuals. The name was linked to the experiences, individuality and values of these individuals. Its proper use, much more than respect for legislation, meant respect for the different possibilities of human existence. It is expected that the results presented can be used as a tool for recognizing the issues and nuances that permeate the construction of the chosen name and contribute to identity validation.

Fatores de estresse e resiliência no acesso e utilização de serviços de saúde por travestis e mulheres transexuais no nordeste brasileiro / Stress and resilience factors in the access and utilization of health services by travestis and transgender women in northeast Brazil

Resumo O gênero é uma categoria social diretamente ligada à determinação da saúde, mas tem sido frequentemente limitado às categorias de masculino e feminino, invisibilizando demandas importantes de identidades que fogem ao binarismo, como no caso de identidade transgênero (travestis e transexuais). A teoria do estresse de minorias de gênero categoriza fatores de estresse e resiliência relevantes para explicar como as vivências ligadas ao gênero impactam de maneira desproporcional pessoas transgênero, especialmente em desfechos de saúde mental. Nesse contexto, este estudo analisa a relação entre acesso e uso de serviços de saúde e os fatores de estresse e resiliência de travestis e mulheres transexuais no interior do nordeste brasileiro. Foi conduzida uma pesquisa qualitativa em saúde: dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas com cinco mulheres trans adultas, residentes da região do Cariri, Ceará. Observou-se homogeneidade no acesso à saúde, mas todas as entrevistadas enfrentaram situações de estresse durante a utilização. Identificaram-se fatores de resiliência que levam essa população a buscar cuidados de saúde fora do sistema de saúde, devido a suas dificuldades de uso. Portanto, evidencia-se a necessidade de discutir a amplitude e o progresso do processo transexualizador e a capacidade de aplicação da Política Nacional de Saúde Integral de Lésbicas, Gays, Bissexuais e Transgêneros no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde no interior do nordeste brasileiro.

Abstract Gender is a social category directly linked to health determination, but it has often been constrained to the categories of male and female, obscuring significant demands from identities that go beyond this binary framework, such as transgender identities (travestis and transsexuals). Gender minority stress is a theory that categorizes stress and resilience factors relevant to explaining how gender experiences disproportionately impact transgender individuals, particularly in mental health outcomes. Given this context, this study examines the relations between user access and use of health services and the stress and resilience factors of travestis and transgender women in northeastern Brazil. A qualitative health research was conducted with data collected by means of semi-structured interviews with five adult trans women residing in the Cariri region, Ceará state. Health access was homogeneous, yet all interviewees faced stress-inducing situations during service use. Resilience factors were identified, leading this population to seek healthcare outside the state system due to use challenges. These findings highlight the need to discuss the breadth and progress of gender affirming care and the applicability of the National Policy of Comprehensive Healthcare for LGBT individuals within the Brazilian National Health System in northeastern Brazil.

Refinamentos estéticos na aparência da vulva na cirurgia de adequação genital / Esthetic refinements to the appearance of the vulva in sex reassignment surgery

Introdução: A cirurgia de adequação genital tem se mostrado uma opção segura e confiável, com redução drástica na disforia e melhora da qualidade de vida das pessoas transgênero. A técnica mais estudada e utilizada é a inversão peniana com suas modificações, com aparência estética e funcionalidade adequadas, porém sem padronização da técnica cirúrgica. Índices de até 38% de satisfação parcial e 15% de insatisfação podem levar até 66% dos casos a realizar procedimentos adicionais. O objetivo é sugerir refinamentos estéticos na aparência da vulva e comparar com algumas das técnicas descritas, buscando aumentar a satisfação estética e funcional pós-operatória. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo com 7 pacientes submetidas à cirurgia de readequação sexual entre agosto de 2017 e fevereiro de 2018. O clitóris é feito com a glande em formato de tridente, utilizando a coroa para construir os corpos cavernosos do clitóris e aumentar a área de sensação erógena. Faixa de prepúcio é usada para aumentar a cobertura do clitóris e cobrir a face interna dos pequenos lábios, que são definidos com o uso de suturas. Resultados: Sensibilidade adequada e satisfação com o resultado e capacidade de orgasmo em todas as pacientes observadas. Não houve estenose, fístula ou necrose do clitóris com essa técnica. Somente 1 caso precisou de procedimento adicional para melhor definição estética. Conclusão: A técnica apresentada tem alta satisfação das pacientes e sensibilidade erógena, com algumas vantagens em relação a outras técnicas. Porém, estudos prospectivos com número maior de pacientes são necessários para definir a técnica cirúrgica mais efetiva.

Introduction: Sex reassignment surgery is a reliable and safe option, which has drastically reduced dysphoria and improved the quality of life of transgender individuals. The most studied and used technique is penile inversion with modifications, which results in appropriate esthetic appearance and functionality, but the surgical technique has not been standardized. Partial satisfaction rates up to 38% and dissatisfaction rates of 15% may cause up to 66% of cases to undergo additional procedures. The objective is to suggest esthetic refinements to the appearance of the vulva and compare some of the techniques described, seeking to increase the postoperative esthetic and functional satisfaction. Methods: A retrospective study with 7 patients undergoing sex reassignment surgery between August 2017 and February 2018 was conducted. The clitoris is constructed with the glans in the form of a trident, using the corona to build the corpus cavernosa of the clitoris and increase the area of erogenous sensation. A section of the prepuce is used to increase the coverage of the clitoris and cover the inner surface of the labia minora, which are defined with the use of sutures. Results: Adequate sensitivity and satisfaction with the result and capacity of orgasm in all patients were observed. There was no stenosis, fistula, or necrosis of the clitoris with this technique. Only 1 case needed an additional procedure for better esthetic definition. Conclusion: The technique presented leads to high patient satisfaction and erogenous sensitivity, with some advantages compared to other techniques. However, prospective studies with larger numbers of patients are needed to define a more effective surgical technique.

Denegación de cambio de sexo registral: comentario al Auto del Magistrado del Registro Civil Único de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria de 18/09/2023 / [Denial of change of registration sex: comment to the Order of the Magistrate of the Single Civil Registry of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria of 09/18/2023]

El presente trabajo analiza el Auto 1045/2023, de fecha 18 de septiembre. Resolución que iba a suponer, a la postre, la denegación de la solicitud de un ciudadano que había pretendido, amparándose en Ley 4/2023, del 28 de febrero, una rectificación registral de la mención relativa al sexo, de varón a mujer, conservando su nombre. (AU)

This work analyzes Auto 1045/2023, dated September 18th. This resolution was going to result in the denial of a citizen’s request who, relying on Law 4/2023, dated February 28th, had sought a registry correction regarding gender, from male to female, while retaining his name. (AU)

Situación social y legal de gays, lesbianas y personas transgénero y la discriminación contra estas poblaciones en América Latina / A situação social e legal de gays, lésbicas e pessoas trans e a discriminação contra estas populações na América Latina / The social and legal status of gay men, lesbians and transgender persons, and discrimination against these populations in Latin America

Resumen: Este artículo revisa brevemente algunas de las condiciones socioculturales y legales que favorecen -o desfavorecen- la vida de gays, lesbianas y personas transgéneros en América Latina y recopila algunos datos comparativos disponibles sobre la situación legal de dichas poblaciones y la discriminación ejercida ellas. Se concluye indicando el alcance y persistencia del prejuicio y la discriminación hacia gays, lesbianas y personas transgénero en la región.

Resumo: Este artigo revisa brevemente algumas das condições sócio-culturais e legais que favorecem - ou desfavorecem - a vida de gays, lésbicas e pessoas trans na América Latina e apresenta alguns dados comparativos disponíveis sobre a situação legal destas populações e a discriminação contra elas exercida. Conclui indicando o escopo e persistência do preconceito e discriminação contra gays, lésbicas e pessoas trans na região.

Abstract: This paper briefly examines some of the sociocultural and legal conditions either helping or hindering the life of gay men, lesbians, and transgender individuals in Latin America. Some comparative data available about the legal situation and discrimination towards these populations is presented. In conclusion, the scope and persistence of prejudice and discrimination against gays, lesbians, and transgender individuals in the region is discussed.

Infecciones de transmisión sexual en personas transgénero y otras identidades sexuales / Sexually transmitted infections among transgender individuals and other sexual identities

Existen pocos datos disponibles acerca del comportamiento de riesgo y la prevalencia de infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS), incluyendo HIV-1, en personas transgénero. El objetivo del estudio fue comparar las características demográficas, factores de riesgo, prevalencia de HIV-1 e ITS en personas transgénero versus personas no transgénero que consultan al Centro de Prevención, Asesoramiento y Diagnóstico del Hospital General de Agudos J.M. Ramos Mejía. Se utilizó el diseño de estudio de corte transversal y se incluyeron pacientes asistidos en nuestro centro que firmaron consentimiento informado entre noviembre de 2002 y abril de 2006. Se obtuvieron datos sociodemográficos, uso de drogas, utilización de preservativos, nivel de educación alcanzado, diagnóstico de ITS y estado actual de la pareja. Se utilizó estadística descriptiva y chi² para comparar proporciones. En la población estudiada (n: 4118) se identificaron a 105 personas transgénero. La prevalencia de infección por HIV-1 fue del 27.6% (29/105), mientras que en personas no transgénero (n: 4013) fue de 6.2% (247/4013); p:0.0000. El bajo nivel educativo, el consumo de alcohol, el abuso de drogas, los antecedentes de ITS y el trabajo sexual (100% en transgénero y 2.3% en no transgénero) fueron más frecuentes en personas transgénero. La prevalencia de sífilis fue del 42% en personas transgénero y del 18% en personas no transgénero. Estos datos demuestran que las personas transgénero que consultan en nuestro centro tienen alta prevalencia de infección por HIV-1 e ITS. Esta información podría contribuir al diseño de estrategias de prevención necesarias en esta población.

Few data are available regarding the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI), including HIV-1 infection, and risk behaviors of transgender individuals. Previous reports indicate that this community has a high prevalence of HIV and STIs. Our objective was to compare the prevalence of HIV-1 infection, STI and risk behaviors of transgender people versus non transgender people. We used a cross sectional design study. Patients who received services at our testing site between November 2002 and April 2006, and provided written informed consent, were included in the analysis. Socio-demographic data, sexual behaviour, recreational drug use, condom use, concurrent or previous STI and HIV-1 infection diagnosis and partner serologic status, were collected. We used descriptive statistics and chi² for comparisons of proportions. In the period of the study, 105 transgender individuals were identified in a population of 4118 patients tested. The prevalence of HIV infection in the transgender group was 27.6% (29/105), while in the non transgender group was 6.2% (247/4013) p:0.0000. Low level of formal instruction, alcohol consumption, drug abuse, previous history of STI and sex work (100% transgenders and 2.3% of non-transgenders) were significantly more frequent in the transgender. The referred correct use of condom was similar in both groups. The prevalence of syphilis was 42.3% in transgender group and 18.1% in non-transgender individuals. These data show that this population has a very high prevalence of HIV-1 and STI. This information could be instrumental to design targets for intensive HIV prevention strategies in this particular high risk population.