Second-to-fourth Digit Ratio in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

Objective.Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) occurs predominantly in women, and sex hormones play an important role in SLE. Variation in the second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D4D ratio) is attributed to sex hormone exposure. Therefore, we evaluated the relationship between sex hormones and SLE by measuring 2D4D ratios.Methods.We measured 2D4D ratios in 100 patients with SLE and 200 normal healthy controls (NHC).Results.Patients with SLE had a lower 2D4D ratio than NHC.Conclusion.Our study suggests that patients with SLE have experienced high prenatal testosterone and low prenatal estrogen. To our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating the association between 2D4D ratio and SLE.