title: From palmistry to anthropometry: can 2nd to 4th digit length (2D:4D) predict the risk of prostate cancer?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The 2nd to 4th digit length (2D:4D) is inversely related to androgen exposure during the fetal period, which may represent a risk factor for several steroid-related diseases. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between 2D:4D ratio and the risk of developing prostate cancer (PCa).
  
  
  METHODS
  We assessed the 2D:4D ratio of 474 men >40 years old, stratified into three groups: group 1 (n = 222) patients with PCa, group 2 (n = 82) subjects with high risk of PCa, and group 3 (n = 170) men with low risk of PCa. Subjects were submitted to a digital picture of the ventral surface of the right hand and 2nd and 4th fingers measurements were determined by the distance from the proximal crease to the tip using computer-assisted analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean serum prostate-specific antigen level was 7.5 ng/ml in the high-risk group and 0.92 ng/ml in the low-risk group (p < 0.05). The mean 2D:4D ratios were 0.96 ± 0.04, 0.97 ± 0.04 and 0.96 ± 0.04 for the PCa, high-risk and low-risk groups, respectively, and no difference was found among the three groups (p = 0.12).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anthropometry of the hand using the 2D:4D ratio is not a predictor of PCa.
authors: Service of Urology, Pedro Ernesto Memorial Hospital, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors: Layla
authors: L
authors: Salomão
authors: Rui Teófilo
authors: RT
authors: Figueiredo
authors: Rafael
authors: R
authors: Oliveira Santos
authors: Ronaldo
authors: R
authors: Damião
authors: Eloisio Alexsandro
authors: EA
authors: da Silva
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000728:Androgens / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000886:Anthropometry; D001706:Biopsy; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005385:Fingers / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen