Are 2D:4D finger-length ratios an indicator of androgenetic alopecia in males?

• Autor(a) principal: Bilgic,Özlem
• Data de Publicação: 2016
• Outros Autores: Altınyazar,Hilmi Cevdet, Eryılmaz,Dilek, Tuğrul,Zehra Ayça
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Anais brasileiros de dermatologia (Online)
• Texto Completo: http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0365-05962016000200156
• topic: Alopecia; Androgens; Fingers; Hyperandrogenism; Receptors, androgen

Abstract BACKGROUND: Although the pathogenesis of androgenetic alopecia is not completely understood, the roles of genetic susceptibility and androgens are well-known. A lower ratio of the second digit (index finger = 2D) to the fourth digit (ring finger = 4D) length has been hypothesized to reflect prenatal androgen exposure and/or higher sensitivity to androgens. OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship between the second to fourth digit length ratio and androgenetic alopecia. METHODS: Finger length measurements were made by a digital vernier calliper. Androgenetic alopecia severity was assessed using the Hamilton-Norwood scale. Subjects with an androgenetic alopecia score of grade III or more were included in the study. RESULTS: A total of 189 males with androgenetic alopecia and 171 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. The age range of participants was 19-65 years. The 2D:4D ratios in patients with androgenetic alopecia were significantly lower than those of healthy controls for the right hand; however, no significant difference was found for the left hand. Average 2D:4D ratios in androgenetic alopecia patients were also lower than in controls. No significant relationship was observed between androgenetic alopecia severity and 2D:4D ratios. CONCLUSION: Our data support the anatomical evidence of in utero androgen exposure and/or an individual’s sensitivity to androgens in patients with androgenetic alopecia. Furthermore, the right hand 2D:4D ratio might be an indicator of androgenetic alopecia development.