The Relationship Between the Risk of Prostate Cancer and Second to Fourth Digit Ratio

Özet

Objective: The second to fourth digit ratio is inversely related to prenatal androgen exposure, which may be a risk factor for several androgendependent diseases. One of these diseases is prostate cancer (PCa). Genes that play a role in the development of the fingers also play a role in the etiology of PCa. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether there is a relationship between digit ratio and PCa. Materials and Methods: The files of 45 patients diagnosed with PCa between 2016-2019 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were called and invited to the hospital for digit measurement. Age-matched, 45 patients who were admitted to the outpatient clinic due to renal stones or renal cysts were included as a control group. Finger lengths were measured by the distance from the proximal crease to the tip, two times by a single observer, using a digital caliper, and the averages were recorded. Second to fourth digit ratios were calculated separately for right and left hand, and the groups were compared for variables. Results: The mean age of patients with PCa was 62.9±7.2 years, and the mean age of control group was 64.3±7.3 years. The mean PSA level was 8.27±3.3 ng/mL and 1.39±0.63 ng/dL in study and control group, respectively. The mean digit ratios for right and left hand were 0.96±0.03, 0,99±0.03 (p<0.001) and 0.95±0.03, 0.98±0.03 (p=0.003) for study and control groups, respectively. Conclusion: Men with PCa have a lower second to fourth digit ratio than healthy individuals. Therefore, the second to fourth digit ratio, which is indicative of prenatal androgen exposure, can be used as a marker of PCa risk.