The Evaluation of 2D:4D Finger Ratios in SeborrheicDermatitis Cases

Abstract

Objective: Seborrheic dermatitis is common in the 14–50 age group, especially the adolescent age group. It was deter mined that the ratio of finger lengths did not change in the adult period after being determined in the intrauterine period. Atthe same time, the ratio of the index finger length to the ring finger length (2D:4D) is opposite to that of the serum testos terone. Based on this two basic knowledge, the intrauterine hormonal effect that an individual has been exposed to at anyage can be determined. In our study, it was aimed to investigate the relationship between 2D:4D finger length ratio, whichis an indicator of intrauterine androgen exposure, and seborrheic dermatitis, in which androgens are accused in etiology. Materials and Methods: Our study was planned as a descriptive and cross-sectional study among patients who applied tothe dermatology outpatient clinic. Seborrheic dermatitis cases and age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers who appliedto the dermatology outpatient clinic without seborrheic dermatitis were included in the study. Results: In the evaluation made separately for both sexes; while it was observed that both females and males with seborrheicdermatitis group had a lower 2D:4D finger length ratio compared to the control group, this was only significant in the left2D:4D finger length ratio in males. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, there is no study in both sexes that evaluate the relationship between seborrheicdermatitis and 2D:4D finger length ratio in the literature. Our findings support the idea that intrauterine androgen exposuremay be effective in the development of seborrheic dermatitis, and larger studies are needed.