BACKGROUND Transgender individuals receiving masculinising or feminising gender-affirming hormone therapy with testosterone or estradiol respectively,are at increased risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes,including ...BACKGROUND Transgender individuals receiving masculinising or feminising gender-affirming hormone therapy with testosterone or estradiol respectively,are at increased risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes,including myocardial infarction and stroke.This may be related to the effects of testosterone or estradiol therapy on body composition,fat distribution,and insulin resistance but the effect of genderaffirming hormone therapy on these cardiovascular risk factors has not been extensively examined.AIM To evaluate the impact of gender-affirming hormone therapy on body composition and insulin resistance in transgender individuals,to guide clinicians in minimising cardiovascular risk.METHODS We performed a review of the literature based on PRISMA guidelines.MEDLINE,Embase and PsycINFO databases were searched for studies examining body composition,insulin resistance or body fat distribution in transgender individuals aged over 18 years on established gender-affirming hormone therapy.Studies were selected for full-text analysis if they investigated transgender individuals on any type of gender-affirming hormone therapy and reported effects on lean mass,fat mass or insulin resistance.RESULTS The search strategy identified 221 studies.After exclusion of studies that did not meet inclusion criteria,26 were included(2 cross-sectional,21 prospectiveuncontrolled and 3 prospective-controlled).Evidence in transgender men suggests that testosterone therapy increases lean mass,decreases fat mass and has no impact on insulin resistance.Evidence in transgender women suggests that feminising hormone therapy(estradiol,with or without anti-androgen agents)decreases lean mass,increases fat mass,and may worsen insulin resistance.Changes to body composition were consistent across almost all studies:Transgender men on testosterone gained lean mass and lost fat mass,and transgender women on oestrogen experienced the reverse.No study directly contradicted these trends,though several small studies of short duration reported no changes.Results for insulin resistance are less consistent and uncertain.There is a paucity of prospective controlled research,and existing prospective evidence is limited by small sample sizes,short follow up periods,and young cohorts of participants.CONCLUSION Further research is required to further characterise the impact of genderaffirming hormone therapy on body composition and insulin resistance in the medium-long term.Until further evidence is available,clinicians should aim to minimise risk by monitoring cardiovascular risk markers regularly in their patients and encouraging healthy lifestyle modifications.展开更多
基金Supported by Australian Government National Health and Medical Research Council,No.APP1143333Endocrine Society of Australia+2 种基金Austin Medical Research FoundationViertel Charitable Foundation Clinical Investigator Award,No.VIERCI2017009Royal Australasian College of Physicians Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation
文摘BACKGROUND Transgender individuals receiving masculinising or feminising gender-affirming hormone therapy with testosterone or estradiol respectively,are at increased risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes,including myocardial infarction and stroke.This may be related to the effects of testosterone or estradiol therapy on body composition,fat distribution,and insulin resistance but the effect of genderaffirming hormone therapy on these cardiovascular risk factors has not been extensively examined.AIM To evaluate the impact of gender-affirming hormone therapy on body composition and insulin resistance in transgender individuals,to guide clinicians in minimising cardiovascular risk.METHODS We performed a review of the literature based on PRISMA guidelines.MEDLINE,Embase and PsycINFO databases were searched for studies examining body composition,insulin resistance or body fat distribution in transgender individuals aged over 18 years on established gender-affirming hormone therapy.Studies were selected for full-text analysis if they investigated transgender individuals on any type of gender-affirming hormone therapy and reported effects on lean mass,fat mass or insulin resistance.RESULTS The search strategy identified 221 studies.After exclusion of studies that did not meet inclusion criteria,26 were included(2 cross-sectional,21 prospectiveuncontrolled and 3 prospective-controlled).Evidence in transgender men suggests that testosterone therapy increases lean mass,decreases fat mass and has no impact on insulin resistance.Evidence in transgender women suggests that feminising hormone therapy(estradiol,with or without anti-androgen agents)decreases lean mass,increases fat mass,and may worsen insulin resistance.Changes to body composition were consistent across almost all studies:Transgender men on testosterone gained lean mass and lost fat mass,and transgender women on oestrogen experienced the reverse.No study directly contradicted these trends,though several small studies of short duration reported no changes.Results for insulin resistance are less consistent and uncertain.There is a paucity of prospective controlled research,and existing prospective evidence is limited by small sample sizes,short follow up periods,and young cohorts of participants.CONCLUSION Further research is required to further characterise the impact of genderaffirming hormone therapy on body composition and insulin resistance in the medium-long term.Until further evidence is available,clinicians should aim to minimise risk by monitoring cardiovascular risk markers regularly in their patients and encouraging healthy lifestyle modifications.
