417 Transgender Hormone Therapy and Sleep-Disordered Breathing

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Sex hormones may affect human respiration during wakefulness and sleep. Testosterone has been associated with increased obstructive respiratory events contributing to sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in men, whereas a protective effect against SDB has been attributed to estrogen in women. These associations, primarily observed in cisgender populations, have been rarely examined in transgender individuals on hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The present study investigated associations between HRT and SDB in transgender adults. Methods A chart review of medical records from transgender patients was conducted in a large academic sleep medicine center. Individuals were included if they were at least 18 years old, had one or more sleep complaints, and SDB testing results available. Participants were then stratified by affirmed gender (transmasculine and transfeminine) and by HRT status. We used descriptive statistics procedures to examine differences between gender and HRT groups. Associations between HRT and the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) were estimated with age-adjusted linear regression models. Results Of the 194 individuals identified, 89 satisfied the inclusion criteria. Nearly half of participants were transmasculine (52%). The mean age was 38±13 years, and mean body mass index was 34.7±9.0 Kg/m2. Approximately 60% of participants were on HRT at the time of SDB evaluation. Transmasculine people who were prescribed testosterone had a significantly increased AHI and lower oxygen nadir in comparison to transmasculine individuals not on testosterone (AHI 36.8±37.8/hour vs.15.3±16.6/hour, p=0.01; oxygen nadir 83.4±8.3% vs. 89.1±2.4%, p=0.001). In contrast, differences between transfeminine people with and without feminizing HRT (androgen blocker + estrogen) were not statistically significant (AHI 21.4±27.7/hour vs. 27.7±26.0/hour, p=0.45; oxygen nadir 86.5±6.7% vs. 84.1±7.7%, p=0.29). Linear regression models adjusted for age found an association between HRT and AHI for transmasculine (β=16.7, 95% CI 2.7, 30.8), but not for transfeminine participants (β=-2.5, 95% CI -17.9, 12.9). Conclusion These findings suggest differential associations between HRT and AHI among transgender individuals, with transmasculine on testosterone having a significant increase in AHI. Prospective studies with large sample sizes are warranted to evaluate these associations. Support (if any) Dr. Gavidia’s work was supported by an NIH/NINDS T32-NS007222 grant