Is There a Correlation between the Second-to-Four Digit Ratio (2D:4D) and Endometriosis? Results of a Case-Control Study
The second-to-four digit ratio (2D:4D) has been proposed as a marker of prenatal hormonal exposure. It is suggested that prenatal exposure to androgens results in a shorter 2D:4D ratio, whereas a prenatal oestrogenic environment results in a longer one. In addition, previous research has shown an as...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/12/5/2040 |
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| author | Laura Buggio Marco Reschini Paola Viganò Dhouha Dridi Giulia Galati Alessandra Chinè Francesca Giola Edgardo Somigliana Laura Benaglia |
| author_facet | Laura Buggio Marco Reschini Paola Viganò Dhouha Dridi Giulia Galati Alessandra Chinè Francesca Giola Edgardo Somigliana Laura Benaglia |
| author_sort | Laura Buggio |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The second-to-four digit ratio (2D:4D) has been proposed as a marker of prenatal hormonal exposure. It is suggested that prenatal exposure to androgens results in a shorter 2D:4D ratio, whereas a prenatal oestrogenic environment results in a longer one. In addition, previous research has shown an association between exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and 2D:4D in animals and humans. On the endometriosis side, hypothetically, a longer 2D:4D ratio, reflecting a lower androgenic intrauterine milieu, could represent an indicator of the presence of the disease. In this light, we have designed a case-control study to compare 2D:4D measurements between women with and without endometriosis. Exclusion criteria included the presence of PCOS and previous trauma on the hand that could impact the measurement of the digit ratio. The 2D:4D ratio of the right hand was measured using a digital calliper. A total of 424 participants (endometriosis <i>n</i> = 212; controls <i>n</i> = 212) were recruited. The group of cases included 114 women with endometriomas and 98 patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis. The 2D:4D ratio was significantly higher in women with endometriosis compared to controls (<i>p</i> = 0.002). There is an association between a higher 2D:4D ratio and the presence of endometriosis. Our results support the hypothesis claiming potential influences of intrauterine hormonal and endocrine disruptors exposure on the onset of the disease. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:19:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b43724772b9a44f89c696acd343e62aa |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-0383 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:19:53Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Clinical Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-b43724772b9a44f89c696acd343e62aa2023-11-17T08:01:49ZengMDPI AGJournal of Clinical Medicine2077-03832023-03-01125204010.3390/jcm12052040Is There a Correlation between the Second-to-Four Digit Ratio (2D:4D) and Endometriosis? Results of a Case-Control StudyLaura Buggio0Marco Reschini1Paola Viganò2Dhouha Dridi3Giulia Galati4Alessandra Chinè5Francesca Giola6Edgardo Somigliana7Laura Benaglia8Gynecology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, ItalyInfertility Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, ItalyInfertility Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, ItalyGynecology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, ItalyDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi, 20122 Milan, ItalyInfertility Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, ItalyInfertility Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, ItalyThe second-to-four digit ratio (2D:4D) has been proposed as a marker of prenatal hormonal exposure. It is suggested that prenatal exposure to androgens results in a shorter 2D:4D ratio, whereas a prenatal oestrogenic environment results in a longer one. In addition, previous research has shown an association between exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and 2D:4D in animals and humans. On the endometriosis side, hypothetically, a longer 2D:4D ratio, reflecting a lower androgenic intrauterine milieu, could represent an indicator of the presence of the disease. In this light, we have designed a case-control study to compare 2D:4D measurements between women with and without endometriosis. Exclusion criteria included the presence of PCOS and previous trauma on the hand that could impact the measurement of the digit ratio. The 2D:4D ratio of the right hand was measured using a digital calliper. A total of 424 participants (endometriosis <i>n</i> = 212; controls <i>n</i> = 212) were recruited. The group of cases included 114 women with endometriomas and 98 patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis. The 2D:4D ratio was significantly higher in women with endometriosis compared to controls (<i>p</i> = 0.002). There is an association between a higher 2D:4D ratio and the presence of endometriosis. Our results support the hypothesis claiming potential influences of intrauterine hormonal and endocrine disruptors exposure on the onset of the disease.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/12/5/2040endometriosisdigit ratio2D:4Dintrauterine origindeep endometriosisendometrioma |
| spellingShingle | Laura Buggio Marco Reschini Paola Viganò Dhouha Dridi Giulia Galati Alessandra Chinè Francesca Giola Edgardo Somigliana Laura Benaglia Is There a Correlation between the Second-to-Four Digit Ratio (2D:4D) and Endometriosis? Results of a Case-Control Study Journal of Clinical Medicine endometriosis digit ratio 2D:4D intrauterine origin deep endometriosis endometrioma |
| title | Is There a Correlation between the Second-to-Four Digit Ratio (2D:4D) and Endometriosis? Results of a Case-Control Study |
| title_full | Is There a Correlation between the Second-to-Four Digit Ratio (2D:4D) and Endometriosis? Results of a Case-Control Study |
| title_fullStr | Is There a Correlation between the Second-to-Four Digit Ratio (2D:4D) and Endometriosis? Results of a Case-Control Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Is There a Correlation between the Second-to-Four Digit Ratio (2D:4D) and Endometriosis? Results of a Case-Control Study |
| title_short | Is There a Correlation between the Second-to-Four Digit Ratio (2D:4D) and Endometriosis? Results of a Case-Control Study |
| title_sort | is there a correlation between the second to four digit ratio 2d 4d and endometriosis results of a case control study |
| topic | endometriosis digit ratio 2D:4D intrauterine origin deep endometriosis endometrioma |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/12/5/2040 |
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