Is prenatal testosterone-estrogen balance associated with psoriasis?

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Dermatology
• Human Biology

Background:

• Psoriasis etiopathogenesis remains unclear, but sex hormones influence the condition.
• The second-to-fourth digit (2D:4D) ratio reflects prenatal sex hormone balance and is studied in hormone-sensitive diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between the 2D:4D ratio and psoriasis.
• To explore potential sex-specific hormonal influences on psoriasis development.

Main Methods:

• A study included 172 psoriasis patients (divided into type-1 and type-2) and 197 healthy controls.
• The 2D:4D ratio was measured for both hands in all participants.
• Statistical analysis compared 2D:4D ratios between patient and control groups, and between psoriasis subtypes.

Main Results:

• Male psoriasis patients exhibited significantly higher 2D:4D ratios on both hands compared to controls.
• No significant difference in 2D:4D ratios was observed between female psoriasis patients and controls.
• Male patients with type-1 psoriasis had lower 2D:4D ratios than those with type-2 psoriasis.

Conclusions:

• Altered prenatal estrogen-testosterone balance, specifically increased prenatal testosterone activity, may be an independent risk factor for psoriasis in males.
• The 2D:4D ratio could serve as a potential biomarker for assessing hormonal predispositions to psoriasis in men.