(213) Fatty Acid Profiles and Depressive Symptoms in Trans- and Gender-Diverse Individuals in Comparison to a Cisgender Cohort
Abstract
Trans- and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals exhibit an elevated risk of depression compared to both cisgender heterosexual individuals and cisgender sexual minorities. Meyer's Minority Stress Model serves as a central explanatory framework, describing chronic burdens due to societal marginalization as a risk factor for depressive symptoms in TGD individuals. Fatty acids (FA) have long been recognized as being associated with depressive symptoms. In particular, lower levels of omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and an elevated omega-6 to n-3 (n-6:n-3) ratio have been repeatedly reported in individuals experiencing a depressive episode, while n-3 FA supplementation has demonstrated beneficial effects.
This study aimed to explore metabolic factors, particularly FA profiles, related to depressive symptoms, and to assess their associations with minority-specific risk factors among TGD individuals.
A multicenter cross-sectional study, Star*Immun (2019–2024), was conducted at various recruitment centers in Berlin and Munich, Germany, with oversampling of TGD individuals. Data collection included a questionnaire survey to obtain demographic and psychometric data, including the PHQ-8 score for assessing depressiveness and the Perceived Social Support Questionnaire (F-SozU) for assessing social support, along with the collection of blood serum samples. Inclusion criteria were a minimum age of 18 years and sufficient comprehension of the German language. FAs were analyzed…
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