Prevalence, Morbidity, and Mortality of 1,609 Men with Sex Chromosome Aneuploidy: Results from the Diverse Million Veteran Program Cohort
Authors: Davis Shanlee M. , Teerlink Craig , Lynch Julie A. , Gorman Bryan R. , Pagadala Meghana , Liu Aoxing , Panizzon Matthew S. , Merritt Victoria C. , Genovese Giulio , Pyarajan Saiju , Ross Judith L. , Hauger Richard L. 
Published: July 2023

STRUCTURED ABSTRACT

Importance

The reported phenotypes of men with 47,XXY and 47,XYY syndromes include tall stature, multisystem comorbidities, and poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, knowledge about these sex chromosome aneuploidy (SCA) conditions has been derived from studies in the <15% of patients who are clinically diagnosed and also lack diversity in age and genetic ancestry.

Objectives

Determine the prevalence of clinically diagnosed and undiagnosed X or Y chromosome aneuploidy among men enrolled in the Million Veteran Program (MVP); describe military service metrics of men with SCAs; compare morbidity and mortality outcomes between men with SCA with and without a clinical diagnosis to matched controls.

Design

Cross-sectional, case-control

Setting

United States Veterans Administration Healthcare System

Participants

Biologic males enrolled in the MVP biobank with genomic identification of an additional X or Y chromosome (cases); controls matched 1:5 on sex, age, and genetic ancestry

Main Outcome(s) and Measure(s)

Prevalence of men with SCAs from genomic analysis; clinical SCA diagnosis; Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI); rates of outpatient, inpatient, and emergency encounters per year; self-reported health outcomes; standardized mortality ratio (SMR)

Results

An additional X or Y chromosome was present in 145 and 125 per 100,000 males in the MVP, respectively, with the highest prevalence among men with European and East Asian ancestry. At a mean age of 61±12 years, 74% of male veterans with 47,XXY and >99% with 47,XYY remained undiagnosed. Individuals with 47,XXY (n=862) and 47,XYY (n=747) had similar military service history, all-cause SMR, and age of death compared to matched controls. CCI and healthcare utilization were higher among individuals with SCA, while several measures of HRQoL were lower. Men with a clinical diagnosis of 47,XXY had higher healthcare utilization but lower comorbidity score compared to those undiagnosed.

Conclusion and Relevance

One in 370 males in the MVP cohort have SCA, a prevalence comparable to estimates in the general population. While these men have successfully served in the military, they have higher morbidity and report poorer HRQoL with aging. Longer longitudinal follow-up of this sample will be informative for clinical and patient-reported outcomes, the role of ancestry, and mortality statistics.

KEY POINTS

Comparable to the general population, approximately 1 in 370 male veterans have a sex chromosome aneuploidy, but most are undiagnosed.

Men with X or Y chromosome aneuploidy successfully complete US miliary duty with similar service history compared to their 46,XY peers.

Medical comorbidities and healthcare utilization metrics are higher in male veterans with 47,XXY and 47,XYY during aging, however life expectancy is similar to matched controls.