Increased rate of pancreatitis in gender diverse and transgender patients on hormone therapy: a case series study

Alexander Podboy; Catherine Casey; Ross C D Buerlein; Daniel S Strand; Vanessa M Shami; Andrew Y Wang

doi:10.1136/bmjgast-2023-001312

Increased rate of pancreatitis in gender diverse and transgender patients on hormone therapy: a case series study

BMJ Open Gastroenterol. 2024 Apr 22;11(1):e001312. doi: 10.1136/bmjgast-2023-001312.

Authors

Alexander Podboy¹, Catherine Casey², Ross C D Buerlein³, Daniel S Strand³, Vanessa M Shami³, Andrew Y Wang³

Affiliations

¹ Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA apodboy@virginia.edu.
² Department of Family Medicine, Section of Transgender Services, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
³ Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.

Abstract

Background: There is limited data on the incidence of gastrointestinal-specific pathology in gender non-conforming (GNC) populations.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of pancreatitis incidence rates in transgender and GNC persons exposed and not exposed to gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT).

Results: 7 of the 1333 patients on hormone therapy had an incidence of pancreatitis. 0 of the 615 patients with no history of GAHT use developed pancreatitis. Representing a 6.96 (95% CI 2.76 to 848.78) for the development of pancreatitis in patients with exposure to GAHT therapy.

Conclusion: Clinicians working with GNC individuals should be aware of this possible association.

Keywords: ACUTE PANCREATITIS; ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS; PANCREAS.

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Female
Hormone Replacement Therapy / adverse effects
Hormone Replacement Therapy / methods
Hormone Replacement Therapy / statistics & numerical data
Humans
Incidence
Male
Middle Aged
Pancreatitis* / chemically induced
Pancreatitis* / epidemiology
Retrospective Studies
Transgender Persons* / statistics & numerical data