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Objective: Abdominal fat ultrasound (US) is a simple clinical tool that may allow measures of fat depots not visible using common dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) or computerized tomography (CT) imaging. The aim of this study was to validate the technique, give measures of superficial and profound subcutaneous, preperitoneal, omental and perirenal (retroperitoneal) fat and correlate them with MS markers. Methods: Sequential US measures of these five abdominal fat layers were done at 397 adults. Blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), waist, body fat %, HOMA-IR index (homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance), lipid profile and leptin were recorded. Metabolic syndrome (MS) was defined according to Cholesterol education programme adult treatment panel III (ATPIII) criteria. Results: Subcutaneous and omental fat were increased among people with obesity, whereas preperitoneal and perirenal fat did not show any difference according to BMI or waist. Women showed thicker subcutaneous fat (both superficial and profound), whereas men had bigger omental fat. Both postmenopausal and diabetic patients had changes in omental fat only, whereas patients with fatty liver showed thicker preperitoneal and perirenal fat, as well. MS patients showed both thicker perirenal and omental fat. A cutoff of 54 mm in male (M)/34 mm in female (F) of omental fat and 22.5 mm (M)/12.5 mm (F) of perirenal fat could be predictive of later MS onset. Conclusions: US is a valid method to measure all different abdominal fat depots. Omental and perirenal fat measures may classify patients at risk for MS. Preperitoneal fat depot may also correlate with fatty liver disease.

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According to our data, both methods present a very similar diagnostic value. However, results suggest that lower cutoff points for mass spectrometry may be necessary in order to improve clinical sensitivity.

Background and aims: Since the onset of cross hormone therapy (CHT) in transsexual individuals, there has been concern about possible chronic side effects. Our objective was to assess baseline differences in lipid profile in individuals with gender identity disorder in relation to prior CHT, and changes in the lipid profile and other cardiovascular (CV) risk factors after 24 months of treatment. Methods: Retrospective longitudinal study including all individuals assisted for the first time in the Gender Identity Unit of Catalonia from 2006 to 2010. Socio-demographical, anthropometric and laboratory data were collected. Results: We evaluated 247 transsexuals, 150 male to female (MtF: 60.7%) and 97 female to male (FtM; 39.3%). At baseline, FtM transsexuals were younger and had started prior CHT less often than MtF (13.4% vs. 64.7%; p < 0.001). During follow up, in MtF weight and BMI increased significantly, as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressure, though these latter remained within normal range. No significant differences in lipid profile were observed. FtM transsexuals also presented an increase in weight and BMI, without differences in blood pressure. A general worsening in lipid profile was observed in this group, with increased total cholesterol (166.0 ± 35.1 vs. 175.6 ± 38.2 mg/dL; p = 0.001), triglycerides (70.6 ± 30.7 vs. 102.3 ± 68.5 mg/dL; p < 0.001) and LDL cholesterol (103.8 ± 28.7 vs. 112.8 ± 30.3 mg/dL; p = .013) and decreased HDL cholesterol (52.2 ± 12.2 vs. 45.4 ± 13.8 mg/dL; p = 0.001), even though final levels were all within normal range.Effect of cross-sex hormone treatment on lipid profile in transsexuals 211 Conclusion: There is no detectable increase in CV risk factors in MtF transsexuals who were treated with currently prescribed estrogenic compounds, while a slight worsening in lipid profile takes place in the FtM group, though within normal limits. Efecto del tratamiento hormonal cruzado sobre el riesgo cardiovascular en individuos transexuales. Experiencia en una unidad especializada en CataluñaResumen Antecedentes y objetivos: Desde la introducción del tratamiento hormonal cruzado (CHT) en los individuos transexuales existe preocupación sobre sus posibles efectos secundarios a largo plazo. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar las diferencias en el perfil lipídico basal de individuos transexuales en relación con haber realizado o no CHT previo, y los cambios en dicho perfil y en otros factores de riesgo cardiovascular (FRCV) tras 24 meses de tratamiento. Métodos: Estudio longitudinal retrospectivo incluyendo todos los pacientes atendidos como primera visita en nuestra unidad entre 2006 y 2010. Se recogieron datos socio-demográficos, antropométricos y de laboratorio. Resultados: Se evaluaron 247 transexuales, 150 de hombre a mujer (MtF: 60.7%) y 97 de mujer a hombre (FtM: 39.3%). Basalmente, los transexuales FtM eran más jóvenes y habían realizado CHT previamente con mayor frecuencia (13.4% vs. 64.7%; p < 0.001). Durante el seguimiento el peso y el IMC aumentaron en MtF de forma significa...