Transgender is not a mental disorder

 (Excerpts from CNN News)

The World Health Organization (WHO) uses the term “gender incongruence” to describe people whose gender identity is different from the gender they were assigned at birth.

Now, the WHO is moving this term to the panel's sexual health chapter from its mental disorders chapter. The new classification will improve social acceptance among transgender people while still making important health resources available.

The new standard of classification appears in the 11th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11), which was adopted Saturday by the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. It will go into effect on January 1, 2022.

The WHO does not expect the ICD change to affect transgender people's need for health care.

This is not the first time the ICD has changed a classification related to sexuality. In 1990, the WHO declared that "sexual orientation alone is not to be regarded as a disorder."

Dr KK Aggarwal

Padma Shri Awardee

President Elect Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania   (CMAAO)

Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications

President Heart Care Foundation of India

Past National President IMA

#AskDrKK:Is MRI Safe for patients on ICD

Fewer than 1% of patients with implanted cardiac devices encounter device-related problems during MRI.
MRI can be used safely in patients with implanted devices.
In a study published in the October issue of Annals of Internal Medicine by Dr Saman Nazarian, of Johns Hopkins. (MedPage) only 0.3% patients MRI triggered back-up programming mode in implanted devices. Right ventricular sensing and atrial and ventricular lead impedance values declined immediately after MRI. Long-term follow-up revealed decreased right ventricular sensing and lead impedance, increased right ventricular capture, and reduced battery voltage. None of the changes required revision or replacement of an implanted device.

#AskDrKK: Are heart patients fit to fly?

#DrKKAnswers: 

Patients with uncomplicated heart attack, or those who have undergone uncomplicated percutaneous coronary interventions should not fly until at least two to three weeks have passed and they are tolerating their usual daily activities.

Travel in the week immediately after coronary stent placement should be avoided, due to the high risk of acute stent thrombosis during this time.

Following a heart attack, a stress test is recommended in all low-risk patients.

Patients with heart attack complicated by severely depressed cardiac function or an untoward event during treatment should not fly until two weeks after they are deemed medically stable.

Unstable angina is a contraindication to air travel.

Stable angina is generally well tolerated during flight.

Severe decompensated congestive heart failure (CHF) is a contraindication to flight.

Patients with class III or IV New York Heart Association CHF should be carefully assessed to determine whether they will need inflight oxygen.

Symptomatic valvular heart disease is a relative contraindication to airline travel.

Medically stable patients with pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators are at low risk for inflight emergencies. They should carry a pacemaker card along with a copy of the most recent ECG done with and without a magnet.

There is no evidence that airline electronics or airport security devices interfere with implanted pacemakers or ICDs.

There is a theoretical risk that the ICD might detect the alternating magnetic field created by the handheld wand, which could lead to an inadvertent shock or inhibition of the ICD's pacemaker output. Thus, patients with ICDs should request a hand search.