Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón
Neurology

Author Of 1 Presentation

Gender Differences, Hormones and Sex Chromosomes Poster Presentation

P1141 - The 2D:4D ratio, a proxy for prenatal androgen levels, does not differ between Multiple Sclerosis patients and people without Multiple Sclerosis (ID 1410)

Presentation Number
P1141
Presentation Topic
Gender Differences, Hormones and Sex Chromosomes

Abstract

Background

It has been previously reported that the ratio of an individual`s second and fourth digit lengths (2D:4D ratio) reflects influence of prenatal androgen levels. A higher ratio is associated with a lower in-utero balance of androgens to estrogen. This exposure has been related to the risk of developing MS.

Objectives

To determine whether 2D:4D ratio differs in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), healthy volunteers, and patients suffering other autoimmune diseases (o-AD) and if the ratio correlates with MS severity.

Methods

We obtained two measures of the second and fourth fingers of the right hand of MS patients, healthy volunteers and o-AD patients. 2D:4D ratio was calculated using calipers. We retrospectively reviewed demographic and clinical data. Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score (MSSS) was used as a MS severity outcome measure. Non-parametric tests were used.

Results

In total, we included 120 people. Sixty with MS, median age was 44 years, and 41 (68.3%) were female. Fifty three patients (88.3%) suffered from Relapsing Remitting MS and 7 patients primary or secondary progressive forms of MS. There were sixty people as controls, median age 46 years, and 36 were female (60%). Thirty three patients (55%) had o-AD, mainly ankylosing spondylitis (n=18). Groups were homogeneous for age and sex.

We did not find statistically significant differences between 2D:4D ratio between people with MS and without MS [median: 1 (IQR, 0.055) vs 1 (IQR, 0.043); p>0.05]; and between MS patients and o-AD group [median: 1 (IQR, 0.055) vs 1 (IQR, 0.052); p>0.05]. Severity of MS was not associated with 2D:4D ratio (p=0.358). 2D:4D ratio in men with MS was lower than in men without MS (median: 0.97 (IQR, 0.05) vs 1 (IQR, 0.07); p=0.049].

Conclusions

In our study, 2D:4D ratio was not associated with a higher risk of MS or a greater disease severity (MSSS). Our results suggest that 2D:4D ratio measure does not reflect prenatal androgen influence accurately, or that in-utero exposure to androgens might have a lesser impact on the risk of MS.

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