Effects of Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy on Body Fat and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors
Author Information
Author(s): Dorota Sluková, Carola Deischinger, Ivica Just, Ulrike Kaufmann, Siegfried Trattnig, Martin Krššák, Lana Kosi-Trebotic, Juergen Harreiter, Alexandra Kautzky-Willer
Primary Institution: Medical University of Vienna
Hypothesis
What are the changes in body fat distribution, intraorgan lipid accumulation, and cardiometabolic risk factors after 6 months of gender-affirming hormone therapy in transgender individuals?
Conclusion
Six months of gender-affirming hormone therapy did not significantly change myocardial, hepatic, or pancreatic lipid content, but led to a significant decrease in the VAT/SAT ratio in transgender women.
Supporting Evidence
- Transgender women showed a significant decrease in the VAT/SAT ratio after 6 months of hormone therapy.
- HOMA2-%S decreased significantly in transgender women, indicating decreased insulin sensitivity.
- HbA1c increased significantly in transgender men after 6 months of testosterone treatment.
- Pancreatic, hepatic, and intramyocardial lipid contents did not significantly change in either group after 6 months of GAHT.
Takeaway
This study looked at how hormone therapy affects body fat and health in transgender people. It found that while some fat distribution changed, the fat in organs like the heart and liver didn't change much.
Methodology
The study used magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy to assess body fat distribution and intraorgan lipid content before and after 6 months of hormone therapy.
Potential Biases
The study did not account for psychosocial, dietary, and lifestyle factors that could influence the results.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and a short duration, which may limit the ability to detect more subtle changes.
Participant Demographics
15 transgender women and 20 transgender men, with a mean age of 35.33 years for women and 23.80 years for men.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.011 for VAT/SAT ratio in transgender women; 0.047 for HOMA2-%S in transgender women; 0.001 for HbA1c in transgender men.
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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