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Is prenatal testosterone‐estrogen balance associated with psoriasis?
Author(s) -
Özer İlkay,
Temiz Selami A.,
Ataseven Arzu,
Dursun Recep,
Uyar Mehmet,
Özer Mustafa
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
dermatologic therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.595
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1529-8019
pISSN - 1396-0296
DOI - 10.1111/dth.14213
Subject(s) - psoriasis , medicine , testosterone (patch) , digit ratio , hormone , estrogen , balance (ability) , endocrinology , case control study , physiology , dermatology , physical therapy
Abstract The etiopathogenesis of psoriasis is not understood; however, psoriasis is affected by hormones, particularly the sex steroids. The second‐to‐fourth digit (2D:4D) ratio, which is an indicator of prenatal sex hormone balance, has been studied in various diseases that are affected by hormones. A total of 369 individuals comprising 172 patients with psoriasis and 197 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Patients with psoriasis were divided into type‐1 and type‐2, according to age of onset and family history. The 2D:4D ratio of both hands was recorded for all participants. Females in the psoriasis group had a lower 2D:4D ratio in both hands compared with those in the control group, with no significant difference. Males in the psoriasis group had a higher 2D:4D ratio for both hands compared with those in the control group ( P = .009 and P < .001 for the right and left hands, respectively). Further, male patients with type‐1 psoriasis had a lower 2D:4D ratio compared to those with type‐2 psoriasis. Our results suggest that an alteration of the estrogen‐testosterone balance due to prenatal testosterone activity is an independent predisposing factor for psoriasis in males.