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Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate second and fourth digit length ratio in acne vulgaris male patients compared with controls, and to assess the association of this ratio with the clinical aspects of that disease. Background The ratio of second-to-fourth digit length (2D:4D) has been hypothesized to reflect prenatal androgen exposure and an individual's sensitivity to androgens. Patient and methods The current study was carried out on 169 male patients with different degrees of acne vulgaris severity selected from the Dermatology Outpatient Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University Hospital, Mansoura Dermatology Hospital, from January 2015 to December 2015, in addition to 63 age and sex-matched healthy volunteers as a control group. Results Acne patients' ages ranged from 12 to 26 years with a mean age of 19.87±4.487 years, whereas the age of controls ranged from 13 to 36 years with a mean age of 19.54±3.809 years. The control group comprised 63 male patients. There were nonsignificant differences between patients and controls as regards age. No significant differences were found between right digit 2D:4D, left digit 2D:4D, and total digit 2D:4D ratio in male patients and controls. There was a significant positive correlation between severity of acne lesion and right 2D:4D, but nonsignificant correlations were found as regards left and total 2D:4D. Significant negative correlations were found between right, left, and total 2D:4D ratio and disease duration. However, nonsignificant correlations were found between right, left, or total 2D:4D ratio and age of onset of acne lesion. Conclusion In male acne cases this 2D:4D ratio might be a good predictor of acne duration only and to the same extent its severity, but not its development.

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