Understanding Covid-19: Digit ratios and duration of oxygen therapy in hospitalized Covid-19 patients
Anna Kasielska-Trojan1, Maciej Jabłkowski2, Jolanta Białkowska-Warzecha2
1Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Clinic, Institute of Surgery, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
Background:
Covid-19 severity shows a sex difference (males>females) and progressive hypoxia among the most seriously affected. Digit ratios are sexually dimorphic and may be negatively-related to prenatal (2nd-to-4th digits' ratio; 2D:4D) and pubertal (3rd-to-5th digits' ratio; 3D:5D) testosterone. Oxygen therapy is important in Covid-19 treatment and low 2D:4D is linked to efficient oxygen metabolism. We consider relationships between digit ratios and duration of oxygen treatment in hospitalized Covid-19 patients.
Methods:
Digit lengths were measured from photographs of the patient's hands. Age, Sex, BMI, vaccination status and number of days of O2 treatment, were recorded.
Results:
There were 100 (58 women) patients. Sex differences (males
Conclusion:
We have found that high (feminized) 2D:4D of males and females is positively related to duration of oxygen therapy. This adds to the evidence for links between severity of Covid-19 and national and individual level variation in foetal androgen (as measured by 2D:4D). We discuss our finding in the light of the "low-androgen-driven COVID-19 pandemic theory".
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