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

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.