Fractures in the Transgender Population: A Descriptive Study.

Abstract

Introduction: While there is some data on the bone health of transgender individuals, less is known about their fracture patterns. The authors of this study aimed to describe the anatomic locations of fractures and the prevalence of select comorbidities among transgender patients who presented with fractures at a single institution.

Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with fractures at a single institution between January 2020 and January 2021. The study examined demographics, fracture locations, and comorbidities for all transgender individuals who sustained fractures.

Results: The average age of patients was 35.7 ± 13.2 years. The shoulder and upper arm were the most common fracture sites, accounting for 38% of injuries. Twenty-seven percent of transgender patients presented with multiple fractures. Notably, no lumbar spine fractures were observed in this group. The prevalence of depression was 54%, and hypertension was 19% among transgender patients. Although 85% of fractures were not due to high-energy trauma, none of the patients had a documented history of bone health disorders.

Conclusions: This study provides insights into the fracture patterns among transgender individuals at a single institution, highlighting a tendency toward low-energy fractures in a relatively young population. Further research, including age-matched comparative studies, is needed to better understand bone health and fracture risk in transgender patients.