Increased prevalence of depression, anxiety, and adjustment and somatoform disorders in transsexual individuals

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to explore rates of depression, anxiety, and adjustment and somatoform disorders in a large sample of transsexual individuals (TSI), compared with matched non-TSI cohorts from general practices in Germany. MethodsIndividuals initially documented as transsexual (index date) between January 2010 and December 2018 were identified in 468 general practices (GP) from the IMS Disease Analyzer database (IQVIA). Non-transsexual women (NTSW) and men (NTSM) were matched (1:1) with transsexual individuals by age, index year, and physician. The main outcome measure was the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and adjustment and somatoform disorders among TSI compared to NTSW and NTSM. ResultsA total of 535 TSI, 535 NTSW, and 535 NTSM were analyzed (mean age in each group was 35 years). Depression was documented in 20% of TSI versus 7.7% of NTSW and 5.5% of NTSM (p < 0.001), reaction to severe stress and adjustment disorders in 10% of TSI versus 4.3% of NTSW and 2.9% of NTSM (p < 0.001), somatoform disorders in 9.7% of TSI versus 5.8% of NTSW and 5.8% of NTSM (p 0.016), and anxiety disorders in 5.8% of TSI versus 1.9% of NTSW and 1.6% of NTSM, (p < 0.001). ConclusionOur findings indicate a need to promote TSI mental health. Furthermore, primary care physicians and psychiatrists should be aware of the importance of detecting and treating mental disorders in TSI and thereby improve their quality of life.