SIR 2024
General IR
Brittany Brookner, BA (she/her/hers)
Medical Student
Georgetown University School of Medicine
Financial relationships: Full list of relationships is listed on the CME information page.
Tulasi Talluri, BS (she/her/hers)
Medical Student
Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
Financial relationships: Full list of relationships is listed on the CME information page.
Trevor Lewis, MD
Vascular & Interventional Specialist
Fairfax Radiology Vascular Center
Disclosure information not submitted.
As of 2022, 6.9% of the US population identifies as LGBQ, estimating approximately 22.9 million people {1}. The LGBQ community is disproportionately affected by numerous conditions, most notably cancer, osteoarthritis (OA), and cardiovascular disease (CVD). To date, there is no literature discussing the role of IR in treating this particular population. Given IR’s significant role in oncology, OA pain interventions, and treating the sequelae of CVD, there is significant potential for further research and advocacy in this particular population.
Clinical Findings/Procedure Details:
Interventional Oncology: Cancer is highly prevalent in the LGBQ community. Gay men have >50% increased and bisexual women have >70% increased odds of reporting a diagnosis of cancer {2}. LGBQ women are less likely to get preventative services for cancer, have higher rates of anal and cervical cancer, and have greater breast cancer mortality {3}. Jiang et al describe the use of cryotherapy for the treatment of low rectal and anal cancer, however other interventional treatments are not described {4}.
Musculoskeletal Pain Interventions: LGBQ adults have a 5.6% higher prevalence of OA when compared to heterosexual adults {5}. Percutaneous procedures have been described that treat musculoskeletal pain, however little discussion exists in IR literature about the relationship between depression and pain {6}. Given the high rates of depression and OA in the LGBQ community, exploring future avenues to treat both simultaneously is crucial.
CVD: LGBQ adults were 36% less likely to have optimal cardiovascular health when compared to their heterosexual counterparts {7}. IRs are equipped to treat the complications associated with CVD including peripheral artery disease, stroke, and pulmonary embolism. Efforts should be made to increase IR’s visibility in LGBQ-specific healthcare settings and improve access to these procedures.
Conclusion and/or Teaching Points:
The decrease in medical care in conjunction with increased risk factors associated with the LGBQ population creates a high rate of cancer, OA, and CVD with significant associated mortality {8}. As a field, IR should research avenues to improve the debilitating conditions that affect this marginalized population.