*EMBARGOED All research presented at the 2024 ACG Annual Scientific Meeting and Postgraduate Course is strictly embargoed until Sunday, October 27, 2024, at 12:00 pm ET.
Oral 67 – Impact of Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy in Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Patients
Wednesday, October 30, 2024 | 8:50 AM – 9:00 AM ET | Terrace Ballroom 2-3
Author Insight from Audrey Bennett, MD
What’s new here and important for clinicians?
Prior epidemiology studies have demonstrated gender diverse individuals have a similar prevalence of IBD as the general population, but no studies have evaluated the impact of gender-affirming hormone therapy on the disease course of IBD. This retrospective, multicenter study across five academic IBD centers evaluated adult gender diverse IBD patients who initiated gender-affirming hormone therapy and found no overall increased risk of IBD flare in the year after hormone start. There was no difference in rate of IBD flare based on patient age, IBD type, or use of advanced therapy for treatment of IBD. Patients with active IBD symptoms at the start of hormone therapy were five times more likely to have an IBD flare in the year after hormone start. When hormone type was evaluated in the subset of patients who experienced an IBD flare, this study found flares were more common in transgender men and gender non-binary individuals receiving testosterone compared to transgender women and gender non-binary individuals receiving estrogen. The impact of hormone levels and hormone type on immunity is complex and not fully understood. Further prospective studies to evaluate the impact of hormone type on IBD are needed. The key finding in this study is that gender-affirming hormone therapy is safe in adult patients with IBD, with no overall increased risk of flare. It is important for clinicians to discuss plans for gender-affirming care, including hormone therapy or surgery, with their gender diverse patients.
What do patients need to know?
It is important for patients to know that gender diverse individuals with IBD can safely receive gender-affirming hormone therapy with no overall increased risk of IBD flare in the year after starting hormones. Patients should discuss their plans for gender-affirming hormones with their IBD provider with a goal to work towards clinical remission prior to hormone start, which may help decrease risk of IBD flare. If patients notice a change in their GI symptoms after hormone start, they should promptly notify their IBD providers for evaluation.
Author Contact
Audrey Bennett, MD
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, TN
audrey.l.bennett [at] vumc.org
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