Second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) and coronary heart disease.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Sex steroid exposure during human development may influence disease susceptibility. Second to fourth digit ratio (2D4D) is thought to be a putative biomarker for prenatal hormone level during foetal life. Recently there has been a great deal of interest in 2D4D and risk of disease in adulthood. METHODS: We explored the relationship between 2D4D ratio and coronary heart disease. Photocopies of the two hands of 310 males (controls 155; patients 155) were collected at Yin chuan city, in the Ningxia province of China. Left hand, right hand, mean hand and right minus left 2D4D (Dr-l) were analysed. RESULTS: The mean values of 2D4D ratio in patients were higher than those of CSIN controls. The patients showed significantly higher 2D4D (left hand P < 0.01; right hand, mean hand P < 0.05) than controls. In patients, 2D4D (especially left hand 2D4D) were inversely associated with age at diagnosis (left hand P < 0.001; right hand, mean hand P < 0.05). No association between Dr-l and age or age at presentation of disease was observed in the groups. CONCLUSION: 2D4D may correlate particularly with risk of coronary heart disease in Chinese men.