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Characteristics of a transgender and gender-diverse patient population in Utah: Use of electronic health records to advance clinical and health equity research.

Authors :
Ho, Tiffany F.
Zenger, Brian
Mark, Bayarmaa
Hiatt, Laurel
Sullivan, Erika
Steinberg, Benjamin A.
Lyons, Ann
Spivak, Adam M.
Agarwal, Cori
Adelman, Marisa
Hotaling, James
Kiraly, Bernadette
Talboys, Sharon
Source :
PLoS ONE. 5/7/2024, Vol. 19 Issue 5, p1-20. 20p.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) people, individuals whose gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth, face unique challenges in accessing gender-affirming care and often experience disparities in a variety of health outcomes. Clinical research on TGD health is limited by a lack of standardization on how to best identify these individuals. The objective of this retrospective cohort analysis was to accurately identify and describe TGD adults and their use of gender-affirming care from 2003–2023 in a healthcare system in Utah, United States. International Classification of Disease (ICD)-9 and 10 codes and surgical procedure codes, along with sexual orientation and gender identity data were used to develop a dataset of 4,587 TGD adults. During this time frame, 2,985 adults received gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) and/or gender-affirming surgery (GAS) within one healthcare system. There was no significant difference in race or ethnicity between TGD adults who received GAHT and/or GAS compared to TGD adults who did not receive such care. TGD adults who received GAHT and/or GAS were more likely to have commercial insurance coverage, and adults from rural communities were underrepresented. Patients seeking estradiol-based GAHT tended to be older than those seeking testosterone-based GAHT. The first GAS occurred in 2013, and uptake of GAS have doubled since 2018. This study provides a methodology to identify and examine TGD patients in other health systems and offers insights into emerging trends and access to gender-affirming care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
19326203
Volume :
19
Issue :
5
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
PLoS ONE
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
177089613
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0302895