Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Previous studies indicate a high prevalence of HIV infection in the transgender population and associate it with sexual risk behavior, psychiatrical and socio-economic problems. Anyway, few data are available regarding other factors. We assessed the prevalence of HIV and other associated characteristics in a transgender population of Catalonia.

Methods: Cross-sectional study including 234 transsexuals that started follow-up in a reference center between 2006 and 2010. Socio-demographic, clinical, anthropometrical and analytical data were collected from the medical history at baseline and after 2 years of follow-up.

Results: The prevalence of HIV was 8.5%, higher in the male-to-female than in the female-to-male transsexuals (12.6 vs 2.2%). The HIV infection was more frequent in immigrants from South/Central America (20.8%) and other countries (14.3%) than in Spanish transsexuals (4.6%), P<0.001. There was no association with homosexuality, educational level and tobacco, alcohol or cannabis consumption. The prevalence of HIV was higher in transsexuals with a history of prostitution (26.5 vs 3.4%, P<0.001), cocaine consumption (20 vs 5.3%, P=0.001), heroin consumption (33.3 vs 7.5%, P=0.009), VHC infection (55.6 vs 7.3%, P<0.001), VHB infection (50 vs 6.4%, P<0.001), previous hormonal treatment (17.1 vs 1.6%, P<0.001) and sex reassignment surgery (17.5 vs 4.8%, P=0.003). The HIV+ transsexuals had higher levels of aspartate transaminase (32.1 vs 22.5 U/l, P<0.001), alanine transaminase (36.1 vs 23.05, P=0.026), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (131.6 vs 64.4, P<0.001), alkaline phosphatase (192.6 vs 97.09, P<0.001), higher triglycerides (102.4 vs 81.1, P=0.019) and lower HDL-cholesterol (39.5 vs 48.04, P=0.004). At 2 years of follow-up there were no differences in analytical values between HIV+ and HIV− transsexuals.

Conclusion: In this transgender community, the HIV infection was associated with the immigrant status, prostitution, cocaine and heroin consumption, VHC and VHB infection, previous hormonal treatment, sex reassignment surgery. Transsexuals VIH + had higher liver enzymes levels and worse lipid profile.