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1.
J Gen Intern Med ; 2023 Nov 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37989820

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) adults in the U.S. experience health disparities, including in anogenital sexually transmitted infections (STI). Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) is known to be medically necessary and improve health. Few studies have assessed the effect of GAHT on STI diagnoses. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of GAHT delivered in primary care as an intervention to improve STI outcomes for TGD adults. DESIGN: LEGACY is a longitudinal, multisite cohort study of adult TGD primary care patients from two federally qualified community health centers in Boston, MA, and New York, NY. PARTICIPANTS: Electronic health record data for eligible adult TGD patients contributed to the LEGACY research data warehouse (RDW). A total of 6330 LEGACY RDW patients were followed from 2016 to 2019, with 2555 patients providing STI testing data. MAIN MEASURES: GAHT exposure was being prescribed hormones, and the clinical outcome was anogenital gonorrhea or chlamydia diagnoses. Log-Poisson generalized estimating equations assessed the effect of prescription GAHT on primary outcomes, adjusting for age, race, ethnicity, gender identity, poverty level, health insurance, clinical site, and cohort years. KEY RESULTS: The median age was 28 years (IQR = 13); the racial breakdown was 20.4% Black, 8.1% Multiracial, 6.9% Asian/Pacific Islander, 1.8% Other; 62.8% White; 21.3% Hispanic/Latinx; 47.0% were assigned female at birth, and 16.0% identified as nonbinary. 86.3% were prescribed hormones. Among those tested, the percentage of patients with a positive anogenital STI diagnosis ranged annually from 10.0 to 12.5% between 2016 and 2019. GAHT prescription was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of anogenital STI diagnosis (aRR = 0.75; 95% CI = 0.59-0.96) over follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: GAHT delivered in primary care was associated with less STI morbidity in this TGD cohort over follow-up. Patients may benefit from individualized and tailored clinical care alongside GAHT to optimize STI outcomes.

2.
Psychiatry Res ; 329: 115541, 2023 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37857133

ABSTRACT

Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people are affected by mental health inequities. Gender euphoria-positive emotions or joy in gender-may be associated with positive mental health. Between February 2019-July 2021, we surveyed 2,165 adult TGD patients (median age = 28 years; 29.2 % people of color; 29.6 % nonbinary; 81.0 % taking hormones) evaluating gender euphoria and mental health. Overall, 35.0 % self-reported gender euphoria, 50.9 % gender dysphoria, 23.5 % alcohol misuse, and 44.5 % resilience. Gender euphoria differed by race, gender, insurance, and hormone use, and was associated with reduced gender dysphoria (adjusted Odds Ratio[aOR] = 0.58; 95 % confidence interval [95 %CI] = 0.47-0.72) and alcohol misuse (aOR = 0.75; 95 %CI = 0.60-0.95), and increased resilience (aOR = 1.31; 95 %CI = 1.07-1.61). The construct of gender euphoria may be a promising mental health target.


Subject(s)
Alcoholism , Transgender Persons , Adult , Humans , Transgender Persons/psychology , Euphoria , Gender Identity , Mental Health
3.
BMC Health Serv Res ; 23(1): 1013, 2023 Sep 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37730598

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Uptake of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) remains low among transgender people as compared to other subgroups, despite high rates of HIV acquisition. In California, Latinx people comprise 40% of the population and Latina transgender women experience some of the highest burden of HIV of any subgroup, indicating a critical need for appropriate services. With funding from the California HIV/AIDS Research Programs, this academic-community partnership developed, implemented, and evaluated a PrEP project that co-located HIV services with gender affirming care in a Federally Qualified Heath Center (FQHC). Trans and Latinx staff led intervention adaptation and activities. METHODS: This paper engages qualitative methods to describe how a PrEP demonstration project- Triunfo- successfully engaged Spanish-speaking transgender Latinas in services. We conducted 13 in-depth interviews with project participants and five interviews with providers and clinic staff. Interviews were conducted in Spanish or English. We conducted six months of ethnographic observation of intervention activities and recorded field notes. We conducted thematic analysis. RESULTS: Beneficial elements of the intervention centered around three intertwined themes: creating trusted space, providing comprehensive patient navigation, and offering social support "entre nosotras" ("between us women/girls"). The combination of these factors contributed to the intervention's success supporting participants to initiate and persist on PrEP, many of whom had previously never received healthcare. Participants shared past experiences with transphobia and concerns around discrimination in a healthcare setting. Developing trust proved foundational to making participants feel welcome and "en casa/ at home" in the healthcare setting, which began from the moment participants entered the clinic and continued throughout their interactions with staff and providers. A gender affirming, bilingual clinician and peer health educators (PHE) played a critical part in intervention development, participant recruitment, and patient navigation. CONCLUSIONS: Our research adds nuance to the existing literature on peer support services and navigation by profiling the multifaced roles that PHE served for participants. PHE proved instrumental to empowering participants to overcome structural and other barriers to healthcare, successfully engaging a group who previously avoided healthcare in clinical settings.


Subject(s)
HIV Infections , Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis , Transgender Persons , Female , Humans , Ambulatory Care Facilities , Hispanic or Latino , HIV Infections/prevention & control , Qualitative Research , Male
4.
Transgend Health ; 8(2): 188-194, 2023 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37013092

ABSTRACT

Combination therapy with estrogen and spironolactone may help some transgender women achieve desired results. We used two databases, OptumLabs® Data Warehouse (OLDW) and Veterans Health Administration (VHA), to examine trends in feminizing therapy. We included 3368 transgender patients from OLDW and 3527 from VHA, all of whom received estrogen, spironolactone, or both between 2006 and 2017. In OLDW, the proportion receiving combination therapy increased from 47% to 75% during this period. Similarly, in VHA, the proportion increased from 39% to 69% during this period. We conclude that the use of combination hormone therapy has become much more common over the past decade.

5.
LGBT Health ; 10(7): 552-559, 2023 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37103964

ABSTRACT

Purpose: We examined patient attitudes about the collection of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data in a mixed sample of sexual and gender minority (SGM) and cisgender heterosexual people. Methods: SOGI questions and an evaluation questionnaire were administered to a convenience sample of patients presenting at an academic women's health clinic with an embedded transgender medicine program. Clinic census is ∼10,000 patients, which includes some 1000 cisgender males and 800 transgender patients. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Our methods expand on prior study in this area through implementing an analysis which divides the sample into three groups; cisgender heterosexual, cisgender sexual minority, and transgender respondents, and includes an intersectional approach to the analysis by income and age range, race/ethnicity, and presence of a non-English language spoken at home. Results: Some 231 respondents participated out of 291 approached, including 149 cisgender heterosexual respondents, 26 cisgender sexual minority respondents, and 56 transgender people of any sexuality. Scores were high regarding ease and accuracy of the SOGI questionnaire, and willingness to answer SOGI questions. Among those identifying as cisgender/heterosexual, non-White respondents had an odds ratio of 5.48 of being offended by sexual behavior questions compared with White respondents. Respondents overwhelmingly preferred to complete questionnaires through confidential electronic or pen-and-paper means. Conclusion: Patients were overwhelmingly willing to complete SOGI data questionnaires in a clinic setting, and preferred to do so using confidential means rather than by live interview by staff or providers.


Subject(s)
Sexual and Gender Minorities , Transgender Persons , Female , Humans , Male , Gender Identity , Sexual Behavior , Heterosexuality , Women's Health
6.
JMIR Public Health Surveill ; 9: e40503, 2023 03 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36930204

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The sexual health of transmasculine (TM) people-those who identify as male, men, or nonbinary and were assigned a female sex at birth-is understudied. One barrier to conducting HIV- and sexually transmitted infection (STI)-related research with this population is how to best capture sexual risk data in an acceptable, gender-affirming, and accurate manner. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to report on the community-based process of developing, piloting, and refining a digitally deployed measure to assess self-reported sexual behaviors associated with HIV and STI transmission for research with TM adults. METHODS: A multicomponent process was used to develop a digital-assisted self-interview to assess HIV and STI risk in TM people: gathering input from a Community Task Force; working with an interdisciplinary team of content experts in transgender medicine, epidemiology, and infectious diseases; conducting web-based focus groups; and iteratively refining the measure. We field-tested the measure with 141 TM people in the greater Boston, Massachusetts area to assess HIV and STI risk. Descriptive statistics characterized the distribution of sexual behaviors and HIV and STI transmission risk by the gender identity of sexual partners. RESULTS: The Transmasculine Sexual Health Assessment (TM-SHA) measures the broad range of potential sexual behaviors TM people may engage in, including those which may confer risk for STIs and not just for HIV infection (ie, oral-genital contact); incorporates gender-affirming language (ie, genital or frontal vs vaginal); and asks sexual partnership characteristics (ie, partner gender). Among 141 individual participants (mean age 27, SD 5 years; range 21-29 years; n=21, 14.9% multiracial), 259 sexual partnerships and 15 sexual risk behaviors were reported. Participants engaged in a wide range of sexual behaviors, including fingering or fisting (receiving: n=170, 65.6%; performing: n=173, 66.8%), oral-genital sex (receiving: n=182, 70.3%; performing: n=216, 83.4%), anal-genital sex (receptive: n=31, 11.9%; insertive: n=9, 3.5%), frontal-genital sex (receptive: n=105, 40.5%; insertive: n=46, 17.8%), and sharing toys or prosthetics during insertive sex (n=62, 23.9%). Overall barrier use for each sexual behavior ranged from 10.9% (20/182) to 81% (25/31). Frontal receptive sex with genitals and no protective barrier was the highest (21/42, 50%) with cisgender male partners. In total, 14.9% (21/141) of participants reported a lifetime diagnosis of STI. The sexual history tool was highly acceptable to TM participants. CONCLUSIONS: The TM-SHA is one of the first digital sexual health risk measures developed specifically with and exclusively for TM people. TM-SHA successfully integrates gender-affirming language and branching logic to capture a wide array of sexual behaviors. The measure elicits sexual behavior information needed to assess HIV and STI transmission risk behaviors. A strength of the tool is that detailed partner-by-partner data can be used to model partnership-level characteristics, not just individual-level participant data, to inform HIV and STI interventions.


Subject(s)
HIV Infections , Sexual Health , Sexually Transmitted Diseases , Infant, Newborn , Humans , Female , Male , Adult , HIV Infections/epidemiology , HIV Infections/diagnosis , Gender Identity , Sexual Behavior , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/epidemiology , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/diagnosis , Risk-Taking
9.
LGBT Health ; 10(4): 278-286, 2023 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36689200

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Unsatisfactory collection of cells during Papanicolaou (Pap) tests prevents the detection of cervical cancer and dysplasia. Prior research found that trans masculine (TM) individuals are significantly more likely than cisgender women to have an unsatisfactory Pap test. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that place some TM individuals at greater risk for an unsatisfactory Pap test than others. Methods: Between 2015 and 2016, 150 TM adults were enrolled in a cross-sectional survey assessing demographics, health characteristics, health care experiences, trauma history, and unsatisfactory Pap test history. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses conducted in 2020 examined associations between age, length of time on testosterone, smoking history, having to educate a provider about transgender people to receive appropriate care, anticipated health care stigma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and lifetime history of unsatisfactory Pap tests. Results: Of all participants, 20.2% had an unsatisfactory test in their lifetime, age ranged from 21 to 50 years, 55.1% used testosterone for 1 year or more, and 41.3% had PTSD symptoms. In the multivariable model, older age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.15; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.04-1.27; p < 0.01), 1 year or more lifetime testosterone use (AOR = 3.51; 95% CI = 1.02-12.08; p = 0.046), and PTSD symptoms (AOR = 3.48; 95% CI = 1.10-11.00, p = 0.03) were significantly associated with increased odds of having an unsatisfactory Pap test. Conclusions: Older age, testosterone use, and PTSD symptoms are associated with lifetime unsatisfactory Pap tests among TM adults. Clinicians should assess TM patients' trauma and testosterone use history before Pap tests and utilize trauma-informed practices that facilitate the collection of adequate Pap samples.


Subject(s)
Transsexualism , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms , Adult , Humans , Female , Young Adult , Middle Aged , Vaginal Smears , Cross-Sectional Studies , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/diagnosis , Testosterone
10.
Int J Transgend Health ; 23(4): 392-408, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36324879

ABSTRACT

Background: This article is by a group of trans and nonbinary researchers and experts in the field of trans health who have conducted an analysis of trans health research needs. Aims: To highlight topics that need further research and to outline key considerations for those conducting research in our field. Methods: The first author conducted semi-structured interviews with all coauthors, and these were used to create a first draft of this manuscript. This draft was circulated to all authors, with edits made until consensus was reached among the authors. Results: More comprehensive long-term research that centers trans people's experiences is needed on the risks and benefits of gender affirming hormones and surgeries. The trans health research field also needs to have a broader focus beyond medical transition or gender affirmation, including general health and routine healthcare; trans people's lives without, before, and after medical gender affirmation; and sexuality, fertility, and reproductive healthcare needs. More research is also needed on social determinants of health, including ways to make healthcare settings and other environments safer and more supportive; social and legal gender recognition; the needs of trans people who are most marginalized; and the ways in which healing happens within trans communities. The second part of this article highlights key considerations for researchers, the foremost being acknowledging trans community expertise and centering trans community members' input into research design and interpretation of findings, in advisory and/or researcher roles. Ethical considerations include maximizing benefits and minimizing harms (beneficence) and transparency and accountability to trans communities. Finally, we note the importance of conferences, grant funding, working with students, and multidisciplinary teams. Discussion: This article outlines topics and issues needing further consideration to make the field of trans health research more responsive to the needs of trans people. This work is limited by our authorship group being mostly White, all being Anglophone, and residing in the Global North.

13.
AIDS Behav ; 26(9): 3139-3145, 2022 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35362909

ABSTRACT

The sexual partnerships of transmasculine (TM) adults-those assigned female at birth who identify as transgender men or a masculine spectrum gender identity-and characteristics associated with STI/HIV risk behavior remains understudied. Participants in the current study were TM adults (n = 141) receiving care at a community health center in Boston, Massachusetts between March 2015 and September 2016. Using generalized estimating equations, we examined individual- and partnership-level factors associated with TM adults' odds of engaging in sexual behavior with a sexual partner of unknown STI/HIV status in the past 12 months. TM adults with casual sexual partnerships (vs. monogamous partnerships) and those in partnerships with cisgender men, other TM individuals, or transfeminine partners (vs. cisgender women) had statistically significantly higher odds of engaging in sexual behavior with a partner of unknown STI/HIV status in the past 12 months. Findings may inform future efforts to improve sexual health communication and STI/HIV disclosure between TM adults and their sexual partners.


Subject(s)
HIV Infections , Sexually Transmitted Diseases , Transgender Persons , Adult , Female , Gender Identity , HIV Infections/epidemiology , HIV Infections/prevention & control , Homosexuality, Male , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Male , Sexual Behavior , Sexual Partners , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/epidemiology , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/prevention & control
14.
LGBT Health ; 9(4): 264-275, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35363052

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Transgender (TG) individuals are a historically understudied and underserved patient population. Although clinical guidelines for the care of TG patients exist, quality measures (QMs) specific to this population are lacking. The goal of this study was to obtain expert input on aspects of care for which quality measurement may be appropriate and describe feedback on candidate QMs. Methods: We convened a virtual technical expert panel in September 2020 with six experts in TG medical care. Experts participated in a guided discussion and provided numeric ratings on dimensions of measure suitability (importance, validity/reliability, feasibility, and ease of understanding) for eight candidate QMs spanning multiple care domains (e.g., laboratory testing/monitoring, cancer screening, and sexually transmitted infection screening). Results: Panelists acknowledged high importance and potential to improve care for some candidate QMs, particularly those related to laboratory testing before initiating and during hormone therapy. Numeric ratings of QMs varied but tended to be higher for testing-focused QMs. Experts raised concerns about overly prescriptive language for some QMs and emphasized the importance of considering more flexible specifications to accommodate diverse care scenarios-including care provided to nonbinary individuals-and align with the individualized nature of gender-affirming care. Conclusion: These preliminary findings support a potential role for QMs in improving quality of care for TG patients. Measures related to laboratory testing/monitoring for patients who receive or plan to initiate hormone therapy may be feasible and promising to explore in the future. Additional larger-scale efforts are needed to develop and test QMs for the care of TG individuals.


Subject(s)
Transgender Persons , Transsexualism , Hormones , Humans , Quality Indicators, Health Care , Reproducibility of Results
15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35162722

ABSTRACT

Little is known about how permanent, inclusive, affordable, and supportive long-term housing may affect the health of low-income lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and/or another identity (LGBTQIA+) older adults. Focus group interviews were conducted with 21 older adults to explore the lived experiences and potential health benefits of living in a new LGBTQIA+-welcoming senior housing. Participants reported that moving into the housing was associated with benefits for health and well-being, especially for psychological health. Community, social support, and in-house services were particularly important. However, the combined nature of LGBTQIA+-welcoming and older adult only housing evoked mixed feelings. Appropriate and accessible housing solutions are essential for LGBTQIA+ older adults and may help address health disparities for these populations.


Subject(s)
Sexual and Gender Minorities , Transgender Persons , Aged , Bisexuality , Female , Gender Identity , Housing , Humans
16.
J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr ; 88(S1): S27-S38, 2021 12 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34757990

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: TRIUMPH (Trans Research-Informed communities United in Mobilization for the Prevention of HIV) was a community-led, transgender-specific pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) demonstration project at 2 community-based clinical sites in California. TRIUMPH used peer health education, community mobilization, and clinical integration of PrEP with hormone therapy to promote PrEP knowledge and acceptability. The goal of this study was to evaluate PrEP uptake, retention, and adherence among TRIUMPH participants and examine site-based differences. METHODS: Eligible participants were adult transgender and gender diverse people interested in PrEP. Participants were seen at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months for PrEP provision, clinical visits, and HIV testing. PrEP uptake was defined as dispensation of PrEP, PrEP retention was defined as proportion of expected visits completed among those who initiated PrEP, and PrEP adherence was assessed by measuring tenofovir diphosphate concentrations in dried blood spots. Logistic regression models quantified the association of variables with PrEP outcomes. RESULTS: TRIUMPH enrolled 185 participants; the median age was 28 years (interquartile range: 23-35), 7% was Black, and 58% was Latinx. PrEP uptake was as follows: 78% in Oakland and 98% in Sacramento; 91% among trans women, 96% among trans men, and 70% among nonbinary participants. Almost half (47%) rarely/never believed about HIV, and 42% reported condomless sex act in the past 3 months. Participants who reported higher numbers of sex partners were more likely to be retained and adherent; other predictors of adherence included not having a primary partner and not experiencing violence in the past 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: This community-led, trans-specific PrEP demonstration project documents high levels of PrEP initiation in a young transgender and gender diverse cohort at risk of HIV acquisition.


Subject(s)
Anti-HIV Agents , HIV Infections , Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis , Transgender Persons , Adult , Anti-HIV Agents/therapeutic use , California , Female , HIV Infections/drug therapy , HIV Infections/prevention & control , Homosexuality, Male , Humans , Male , Medication Adherence
17.
Acad Pediatr ; 21(8): 1441-1448, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34022426

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of standardized patient encounters (SPEs) on gender-affirming communication skills and self-efficacy of pediatrics learners. METHODS: Fourth-year medical students, pediatrics interns, psychiatry interns, and nurse practitioner trainees on 1-month adolescent medicine blocks completed a curriculum with e-learning activities that was expanded to include SPEs. Following e-learning, learners completed 2 SPEs featuring transgender adolescent cases. Faculty observers and standardized patients completed checklists focused on history-taking, counseling, and interpersonal communication, and provided learner feedback after each case. The curriculum was evaluated by comparing skills checklists scores from case 1 to case 2 via Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Self-efficacy was assessed precurriculum (Assessment 1), post-e-learning (Assessment 2), and post-SPE (Assessment 3) using a previously developed instrument. Changes in self-efficacy scores were assessed via linear regression models with generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: Forty-three eligible learners participated in the study. The majority were pediatrics interns, and 5 learners had worked in a transgender clinic prior to the curriculum participation. Learners increased median total checklist scores between cases from 22 to 28 (P < .001) (maximum score of 34). Learners' overall self-efficacy scores improved by 3.4 (confidence interval [CI]: 2.9-3.9; P < .001) between Assessments 1 and 2 and by 1.5 (CI: 1.2-1.7; P < .001) from Assessment 2 to 3. Similar improvements in checklist scores and self-efficacy occurred within stratified learner types. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of SPEs with e-learning is effective at improving self-efficacy and gender-affirming communication skills for a multidisciplinary pediatrics learners. The comprehensive curriculum allowed learners inexperienced with transgender youth to apply knowledge and practice skills.


Subject(s)
Students, Medical , Transgender Persons , Adolescent , Child , Clinical Competence , Communication , Curriculum , Humans , Self Efficacy
18.
Plast Reconstr Surg ; 147(4): 1008-1017, 2021 04 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33776045

ABSTRACT

SUMMARY: This review discusses the current evidence regarding perioperative hormone therapy for transgender individuals, with an emphasis on strategies to reduce the risk of perioperative venous thromboembolism. Historically, surgeons routinely discontinued estrogen therapy in the perioperative period with the goal of reducing the risk of venous thromboembolism. However, abrupt estrogen cessation may also lead to adverse emotional and physiologic effects, including an exacerbation of one's gender dysphoria. The data on the relationship of feminizing hormones and venous thromboembolism in the perioperative setting are largely based on extrapolation of hormone regimens that are no longer in use and may not accurately reflect the actual risk of venous thromboembolism. Future studies will allow surgeons to engage in evidence-based, patient-centered, informed consent while also minimizing the risk of complications, such as venous thromboembolism.


Subject(s)
Hormones/therapeutic use , Postoperative Complications/prevention & control , Sex Reassignment Surgery , Venous Thromboembolism/prevention & control , Estrogens/adverse effects , Estrogens/therapeutic use , Female , Hormones/adverse effects , Humans , Male , Perioperative Period , Postoperative Complications/chemically induced , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Venous Thromboembolism/chemically induced
19.
JMIR Res Protoc ; 10(3): e24198, 2021 Mar 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33646126

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) adults in the United States experience health disparities, especially in HIV infection. Medical gender affirmation (eg, hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgeries) is known to be medically necessary and to improve some health conditions. To our knowledge, however, no studies have assessed the effects of gender-affirming medical care on HIV-related outcomes. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the effects of medical gender affirmation on HIV-related outcomes among TGD primary care patients. Secondary objectives include characterizing mental health, quality of life, and unmet medical gender affirmation needs. METHODS: LEGACY is a longitudinal, multisite, clinic-based cohort of adult TGD primary care patients from two federally qualified community health centers in the United States: Fenway Health in Boston, and Callen-Lorde Community Health Center in New York. Eligible adult TGD patients contribute electronic health record data to the LEGACY research data warehouse (RDW). Patients are also offered the option to participate in patient-reported surveys for 1 year of follow-up (baseline, 6-month, and 12-month assessments) with optional HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing. Biobehavioral data from the RDW, surveys, and biospecimen collection are linked. HIV-related clinical outcomes include pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake (patients without HIV), viral suppression (patients with HIV), and anogenital STI diagnoses (all patients). Medical gender affirmation includes hormones, surgeries, and nonhormonal and nonsurgical interventions (eg, voice therapy). RESULTS: The contract began in April 2018. The cohort design was informed by focus groups with TGD patients (n=28) conducted between August-October 2018 and in collaboration with a community advisory board, scientific advisory board, and site-specific research support coalitions. Prospective cohort enrollment began in February 2019, with enrollment expected to continue through August 2020. As of April 2020, 7821 patients are enrolled in the LEGACY RDW and 1756 have completed a baseline survey. Participants have a median age of 29 years (IQR 11; range 18-82). More than one-third (39.7%) are racial or ethnic minorities (1070/7821, 13.68% Black; 475/7821, 6.07% multiracial; 439/7821, 5.61% Asian or Pacific Islander; 1120/7821, 14.32% other or missing) and 14.73% (1152/7821) are Hispanic or Latinx. By gender identity, participants identify as 33.79% (2643/7821) male, 37.07% (2900/7821) female, 21.74% (1700/7821) nonbinary, and 7.39% (578/7821) are unsure or have missing data. Approximately half (52.0%) of the cohort was assigned female sex at birth, and 5.4% (421/7821) are living with HIV infection. CONCLUSIONS: LEGACY is an unprecedented opportunity to evaluate the impact of medical gender affirmation on HIV-related health. The study uses a comprehensive research methodology linking TGD patient biobehavioral longitudinal data from multiple sources. Patient-centeredness and scientific rigor are assured through the ongoing engagement of TGD communities, clinicians, scientists, and site clinical staff undergirded by epidemiological methodology. Findings will inform evidence-based clinical care for TGD patients, including optimal interventions to improve HIV-related outcomes. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/24198.

20.
Fertil Steril ; 115(5): 1312-1317, 2021 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33583596

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical characteristics and associated endometrial findings of transgender and gender nonbinary people using gender-affirming testosterone. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Academic medical center and public safety net hospital. PATIENT(S): Eighty-one patients using gender-affirming testosterone therapy undergoing hysterectomy for the indication of gender affirmation from 2000 to 2018. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Preoperative clinical characteristics and endometrium surgical pathology diagnoses. RESULT(S): Median age was 31 years (interquartile range [IQR] 27-40), and median body mass index 27 kg/m2 (IQR 24-30). Six patients (7%) were parous and 60 (74%) had amenorrhea. Thirty-three patients (40%) had proliferative and 40 (50%) atrophic endometrium. Endometrial polyps were found in nine patients (11%) of the sample. Endometrial findings were similar in the subgroup of 60 patients with preoperative amenorrhea. There were no cases of endometrial hyperplasia or malignancy. In bivariate analysis, those with proliferative endometrium were found to be, on average, 5.6 years younger than those with atrophic endometrium. There were no clinical factors associated with having proliferative versus atrophic endometrium in multivariable models. CONCLUSION(S): People using gender-affirming testosterone may have either proliferative or atrophic endometrium, including people who present with amenorrhea. Further study is needed to develop evidence-based guidelines for appropriate screening for endometrial hyperplasia or cancer in this population.


Subject(s)
Endometrium/pathology , Hysterectomy , Sex Reassignment Procedures , Testosterone/therapeutic use , Adolescent , Adult , California , Cohort Studies , Endometrium/drug effects , Female , Hormone Replacement Therapy , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Sex Reassignment Procedures/methods , Testosterone/pharmacology , Transgender Persons , Young Adult
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