Comparison of Medical Diagnoses among Same-Sex and Opposite-Sex-Partnered Patients

Abstract

Background: Health disparities for gay and lesbian individuals are well documented in survey research. However, a limitation throughout the existing literature is the reliance on self-reported health conditions. This study used medical record diagnoses for gay and lesbian patients seen in primary care clinics.Methods: This study used medical records of primary care patients (n ‫؍‬ 31,569) seen at Midwestern, university-affiliated primary care clinics. First, all records with information about the sexual partnering of the patient were identified (n ‫؍‬ 13,509). Then, opposite-sex-partnered and same-sex-partnered (SSP) patients were compared for prevalence of common chronic conditions and clinic utilization.Results: Only 44.20% of medical records included information about patients' sexual partners. Both male and female SSP patients were more likely to be lower socioeconomic status, be a current or former smoker, and be diagnosed with substance abuse/dependence and depression.Conclusions: The findings suggest the need for more consistent screening of the sexual partnering of patients for identifying patients who are at greater risk of poorer health outcomes. However, identifying the sexual partnering of patients may not occur systematically in primary care, and there may be a lack of disclosure by SSP patients to their physicians given the social stigma about same-sex relationships. ( J Am Board Fam Med 2016;29:688 -693.)

Decriminalizing LGBTQ+: Reproducing and resisting mental health inequities

“…What is also known is that LGBTQ+ people bear a disproportionate burden of health, mental health, and social inequities. 12,13 LGBTQ+ individuals have increased risks for obesity, chronic illness (e.g., HIV, diabetes, asthma), mental distress, 14 sexual risk-taking behaviors and unplanned pregnancy, 15 substance use disorder, depression, 16,17 suicide attempts, 17 and smoking. 16 LGBTQ+ people experience higher rates of HIV infection and tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use.…”

“…12,13 LGBTQ+ individuals have increased risks for obesity, chronic illness (e.g., HIV, diabetes, asthma), mental distress, 14 sexual risk-taking behaviors and unplanned pregnancy, 15 substance use disorder, depression, 16,17 suicide attempts, 17 and smoking. 16 LGBTQ+ people experience higher rates of HIV infection and tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use. 18 They have higher incidence of mental health disorders 19 ; it is estimated that the 12-month prevalence for depression for LGB people is at least twice that of heterosexual people, almost twice for anxiety, approximately two to three times for alcohol misuse, and just under three times for other drug misuse.…”

Freedom and struggling openly in psychotherapy: A qualitative inquiry with LGBQ young adults from religious families

“…Physical and mental health disparities for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) individuals are most pronounced in adolescence and young adulthood (16–25 years old; Heiden‐Rootes et al, 2016; Bränström, Hatzenbuehler, & Pachankis, 2016). This includes higher rates of psychological distress, suicidality (Silenzio, Pena, Duberstein, Cerel, & Knox, 2007), substance abuse, smoking, depression, anxiety, loneliness, obesity, and chronic illness (e.g., HIV, diabetes, asthma; Heiden‐Rootes et al, 2016) as compared to heterosexual peers. Health disparities are attributed to minority stressors (e.g., stigma, prejudice, and victimization on the basis of LGBQ identity) experienced in heterosexist social and family settings (Meyer, 1995).…”

Where’s the LGBT in integrated care research? A systematic review.

“…Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals continue to face health disparities for mental and physical health conditions. For example, LGBT individuals have increased risks for obesity, chronic illness (e.g., HIV, diabetes, asthma), mental distress (Conron, Mimiaga, & Landers, 2010), sexual risk-taking behaviors and unplanned pregnancy (Saewyc, Poon, Homma, & Skay, 2008), substance use disorder, depression (Heiden-Rootes, Salas, Scherrer, Schneider, & Smith, 2016; Ryan, Huebner, Diaz, & Sanchez, 2009), suicide attempts (Ryan et al, 2009), and smoking (Heiden-Rootes et al, 2016). Minority stress theory (Meyer, 2003) is a useful framework for understanding health disparities for LGBT persons (Institute of Medicine, 2011).…”