Epidemiological assessment of people with gender dysphoria referred to forensic medicine in Khorasan Razavi, Iran

 Considering the increase in prevalence of gender dysphoria during the last decade and few studies in this issue in Iran, this study aimed to assess the epidemiological characteristics of transgender individuals in the northeast of Iran.

This study is a cross-sectional descriptive study done in Khorasan Razavi Forensic Medicine Organization in 2018-2019. All individuals referred to Forensic Medicine Organization due to gender dysphoria and applying for sex reassignment during 2013-2017 were included in the study. To complete the information, the researchers contacted people using personal information in their case files. One-hundred two cases between 2013 until 2017 were assessed in the psychiatric commission of forensic medicine organization.

The frequency of patients with gender dysphoria has decreased from 2013 (24.8%) to 2015 (9.9%), and from this year to 2017 (29.7%) has increased. Most of the transgender individuals were 22 years old. The unemployment rate before sex reassignment surgery was 17.5% and after surgery was 23.2%.Regarding the history of psychotic disease, 20.6% of all transgender individuals had a history of suicide attempt, 15.7% self-cutting, 3.9% tattoo, and 8.8% had substance abuse. Most of the participants had diploma and associate degree (43%), and then bachelor and higher degree (37%).

The present study showed that over the five-year period of the study, the most requested sex reassignment was related to the year 2016. This may be due to increased awareness and reduced stigma of this issue in recent years.