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Second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) and coronary heart disease
Hong Lu1, Zhanbing Ma1, Junli Zhao2
1Ningxia Medical University, Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, Department of Medical Genetic and Cell Biology, Yinchuan 750004, PR China.
Introduction:
Sex steroid exposure during human development may influence disease susceptibility. Second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is thought to be a putative biomarker for prenatal hormone level during foetal life. Recently there has been a great deal of interest in 2D:4D and risk of disease in adulthood.
Methods:
We explored the relationship between 2D:4D 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 2D:4D (Dr-l) were analysed.
Results:
The mean values of 2D:4D ratio in patients were higher than those of CSIN controls. The patients showed significantly higher 2D:4D (left hand: P < 0.01; right hand, mean hand: P < 0.05) than controls. In patients, 2D:4D (especially left hand 2D:4D) 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:
2D:4D may correlate particularly with risk of coronary heart disease in Chinese men.
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