Gender-affirming hormone therapy may not increase CVD risk for transgender adolescents

May 20, 2021 at 12:30 PM EDT

Research Highlights:

Before receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy, transgender adolescents are more likely to have at least one atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk factor compared to cisgender (same gender as at birth) adolescents.
After one year of gender-affirming hormone therapy, fewer adolescent transgender females had at least one ASCVD risk factor, and transgender males were more likely to have one risk factor, compared to their ASCVD results when the study began.

Embargoed until 10 a.m. CT/ 11 a.m. ET, Thursday, May 20, 2021

(NewMediaWire) - May 20, 2021 - DALLAS - Transgender adolescents are more likely to have at least one cardiovascular disease risk factor compared to cisgender (same gender as at birth) adolescents, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology, Prevention, Lifestyle & Cardiometabolic Health Conference 2021. The meeting is virtual, May 20-21 and offers the latest science on population-based health and wellness and implications for lifestyle.

The United States has a growing population of transgender adolescents ages 12-21 who seek medical transition gender-affirming hormone therapy. Gender-affirming hormone therapy involves taking estrogen or testosterone for transgender females or males, respectively. Previous research of cisgender adults indicates estrogen has cardioprotective effects, and an estimated 37% of healthy-weight cisgender adolescents have at least one atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk factor.

“Gender-affirming hormone therapy is an option for transgender individuals, and yet very little research currently focuses on the transgender adolescent community,” said first author Ambur Staab, M.D.-candidate at the University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City. “Heart disease is the leading cause of mortality in the United States, and we understand, to some degree from previous research, that estrogen and testosterone can impact risk factors for heart disease. We have yet to fully study how these hormones affect heart disease risk specifically in the transgender adolescent/young adult population, and we sought to get a better understanding through this study.”

Researchers at the University of Utah conducted a retrospective analysis of 300 adolescent transgender patients who received gender-affirming hormone therapy at the Adolescent Medicine Clinic at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, between January 2015 and December 2020. Among the 300 transgender adolescents, 50 transgender male and 50 transgender female patients were randomly selected for analysis of ASCVD risk factors when gender-affirming hormone therapy began and after one year of treatment.

Researchers found that among the 100 transgender patients analyzed:

At baseline, 50% of transgender females and 66% of transgender males had at least one ASCVD risk factor;
After one year of gender-affirming hormone therapy, 30% of transgender females and 70% of transgender males had at least one ASCVD risk factor; and
While there was no significant change in ASCVD risk factors for transgender females, transgender males experienced a significant decrease in HDL cholesterol levels and significant increase in BMI for after one year of gender-affirming hormone therapy.

“Gender-affirming hormone therapy appears to have greater benefits than risks for transgender adolescents and young adults,” said Nicole L. Mihalopoulos, M.D., M.P.H, chief of the division of adolescent medicine at the University of Utah and principal investigator of the study. “For some people, these findings influence their decision to not to start gender-affirming hormones during adolescence. However, without gender-affirming hormone therapy, transgender individuals may experience worse gender dysphoria, depression, anxiety and possibly increased suicidal ideations.”

These findings indicate that gender-affirming hormone therapy for transgender males may have a negative impact on some ASCVD risk parameters; however, the researchers note that baseline lab testing can help physicians counsel and educate patients about the benefits and risks of gender-affirming hormone therapy. Additionally, adverse health effects should be addressed with healthy lifestyle behavior changes first, as is standard care for any other adolescent and young adult who may have modifiable cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Some limitations of the study include a small sample size and that most patients identified as non-Hispanic white individuals; therefore, the results are not generalizable to transgender individuals from diverse racial or ethnic groups. In addition, follow-up data was only collected for one year. While researchers note the strengths in their preliminary findings, it is not possible to establish a causal relationship between gender-affirming hormone therapy and ASCVD risks factors without a larger study that includes more follow-up data and for a longer time period after treatment.

Co-authors include Amy M. Cizik, Ph.D., M.P.H. Author disclosures are in the abstract. The study was funded by the Medical Student Research Program at the University of Utah School of Medicine via an NIH training grant and University of Utah Institutional support.

Additional Resources:

Multimedia is available on the right column of release link https://newsroom.heart.org/news/gender-affirming-hormone-therapy-may-not-increase-cvd-risk-for-transgender-adolescents?preview=95c8a7535dbe60436a0523077c148845
Video perspective (via Zoom): Carl G. Streed Jr. M.D., M.P.H., an assistant professor in the Boston University School of Medicine, is co-author of Assessing and Addressing Cardiovascular Health in LGBTQ Adults: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association in October 2020.
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For more news from AHA EPI Lifestyle Conference 2021, follow us on @HeartNewsTwitter #EPILifestyle21.

Statements and conclusions of studies that are presented at the American Heart Association’s scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association’s policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. The Association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific Association programs and events. The Association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and biotech companies, device manufacturers and health insurance providers are available here, and the Association’s overall financial information is available here.

The American Heart Association’s EPI | LIFESTYLE 2021 Scientific Sessions is the world’s premier meeting dedicated to the latest advances in population-based science. The virtual meeting will be held Thursday and Friday, May 20–21, 2021. The primary goal of the meeting is to promote the development and application of translational and population science to prevent heart disease and stroke and to foster cardiovascular health. The sessions focus on risk factors, obesity, nutrition, physical activity, genetics, metabolism, biomarkers, subclinical disease, clinical disease, healthy populations, global health and prevention-oriented clinical trials. The Councils on Epidemiology and Prevention and Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health (Lifestyle) jointly planned the EPI/Lifestyle 2021 Scientific Sessions. Follow the conference on Twitter at #EPILifestyle21.

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

For Media Inquiries and AHA Expert Perspective:

AHA Communications & Media Relations in Dallas: 214-706-1173; ahacommunications@heart.org

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Gender-affirming hormone therapy may not increase CVD risk for transgender adolescents

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