MON-196 Gender-Affirming Hormonal Therapy and Incidence of Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Gender Dysphoria

Abstract

Background: Long-term effects of gender-affirming hormonal therapy (GAHT) on cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome (MS) is currently unclear. Particularly, the effect of GAHT on cardiovascular outcomes in older individuals (>60 years) with gender dysphoria (GD) is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of GAHT on cardiovascular risk factors, MS and the incidence of T2DM in subjects with GD. Methods: We reviewed the records of 75 subjects with GD, 54 transwomen (age 49 ± 2 years) and 21 transmen (age 37 ± 2 years), who had a detailed clinical, biochemical and hormonal profile (lipid profile, HbA 1C , FPG, testosterone, estradiol) of which 55 were followed for at least 1 year. MS was defined based on ATP III criteria. As a control group, we reviewed the records of 30 subjects without GD who attended the endocrinology clinic for other hormone-related disorders. Results: The median (IR) follow-up was 22 (11-39) months for transwomen and 15 (11-21) months for transmen. In transwomen plasma testosterone levels decreased (379 ± 31 vs 71 ± 18 ng/dL), estradiol increased (40 ± 7 vs 124 ± 34 pg/mL) while the plasma testosterone levels increased in transmen (57 ± 14 vs 411 ± 79 ng/dL). At baseline, 24% of transwomen had MS and after 1 year, 16% of subjects had MS. In transmen, the prevalence of MS was similar before and 1 year after treatment (25 % vs. 24%). In transwomen, GAHT was associated with mild weight gain, BMI increased (29 ± 1 vs. 30 ± 1 kg/m 2 , p=0.04). There was no difference in HDL, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels before and after hormone therapy, though LDL cholesterol tended to decrease (101 ± 6 vs. 90 ± 6 mg/dL, p=0.06). There was no change in HbA 1C , FPG or SBP in transwomen, though DBP decreased (77 ± 1 vs. 74 ± 1 mmHg, p=0.05). In transmen, no changes were observed in BMI, HDL, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, HbA 1C , FPG and blood pressure. There were no new cases of T2DM, however 1 transman developed MS, 1 transman had CABG and 1 transwoman died from laryngeal cancer. There were no new cases of myocardial infarction or stroke in subjects with and without GD. For subjects above 60 years (n=16, 13 transwomen and 3 transmen), BMI in transwomen increased (27 ± 1 vs. 29 ± 2 kg/m 2 , p=0.03), there was no change in HDL, LDL and total cholesterol, triglycerides, HbA 1C , FPG or blood pressure. In 3 transmen older than 60 years old, only the LDL decreased (194 ± 59 vs. 141 ± 55 mg/dL, p=0.006). In the entire group as well as older individuals with GD the incidence of CV events were not different from the control group. Conclusion: GAHT for 1.5 years was not associated with worsening cardiovascular risk factors, metabolic syndrome or incidence of T2DM in both transmen and transwomen regardless of their age. Long-term stud...