The Relationship Between 2D:4D Digit Ratio and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review

IF 1.9 4区医学 Q1 ANTHROPOLOGY

American Journal of Human Biology Pub Date : 2026-06-06 DOI:10.1002/ajhb.70288

Tuba Güner Emül, Emine Kaplan Serin

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives

This systematic review aimed to synthesize current evidence on the association between 2D:4D ratios and PCOS.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases between May and June 2025. Two independent researchers conducted study screening, data extraction, and quality appraisal using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools.

Results

Eleven studies published between 2005 and 2024, with sample sizes ranging from 40 to 400 participants, were included. Study designs were cross-sectional or case–control, and measurement techniques involved calipers, photocopies, or digital analysis. Nine studies reported significantly lower 2D:4D ratios in women with PCOS compared to healthy controls, supporting the hypothesis of increased prenatal androgen exposure. However, two studies found no significant association, likely due to methodological heterogeneity, small sample sizes, or diagnostic inconsistencies.

Conclusion

The majority of included studies suggest that lower 2D:4D ratios may reflect elevated prenatal androgen exposure in women with PCOS, indicating its potential as a non-invasive biomarker. Nonetheless, variability in diagnostic criteria, measurement methods, and study populations limits generalizability. Further large-scale, standardized research is required to determine clinical utility and to establish population-specific reference values.

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二维：四维指位比与多囊卵巢综合征关系的系统综述

目的本系统综述旨在综合目前关于2D:4D比值与PCOS之间关系的证据。方法综合检索2025年5 - 6月PubMed、Web of Science、Scopus、Cochrane等数据库的文献。两位独立研究人员使用乔安娜布里格斯研究所的关键评估工具进行研究筛选、数据提取和质量评估。结果2005年至2024年间发表的11项研究，样本量从40到400人不等。研究设计为横断面或病例对照，测量技术包括卡尺、影印或数字分析。9项研究报告称，与健康对照组相比，多囊卵巢综合征妇女的2D:4D比率显著降低，这支持了产前雄激素暴露增加的假设。然而，两项研究没有发现显著的关联，可能是由于方法的异质性、小样本量或诊断的不一致。结论大多数纳入的研究表明，较低的2D:4D比值可能反映了PCOS女性产前雄激素暴露水平升高，表明其具有作为非侵入性生物标志物的潜力。然而，诊断标准、测量方法和研究人群的可变性限制了通用性。需要进一步进行大规模、标准化的研究，以确定临床效用并确定特定人群的参考值。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

American Journal of Human Biology 生物-生物学

CiteScore

4.80

自引率

13.80%

发文量

124

审稿时长

4-8 weeks

期刊介绍： The American Journal of Human Biology is the Official Journal of the Human Biology Association. The American Journal of Human Biology is a bimonthly, peer-reviewed, internationally circulated journal that publishes reports of original research, theoretical articles and timely reviews, and brief communications in the interdisciplinary field of human biology. As the official journal of the Human Biology Association, the Journal also publishes abstracts of research presented at its annual scientific meeting and book reviews relevant to the field. The Journal seeks scholarly manuscripts that address all aspects of human biology, health, and disease, particularly those that stress comparative, developmental, ecological, or evolutionary perspectives. The transdisciplinary areas covered in the Journal include, but are not limited to, epidemiology, genetic variation, population biology and demography, physiology, anatomy, nutrition, growth and aging, physical performance, physical activity and fitness, ecology, and evolution, along with their interactions. The Journal publishes basic, applied, and methodologically oriented research from all areas, including measurement, analytical techniques and strategies, and computer applications in human biology. Like many other biologically oriented disciplines, the field of human biology has undergone considerable growth and diversification in recent years, and the expansion of the aims and scope of the Journal is a reflection of this growth and membership diversification. The Journal is committed to prompt review, and priority publication is given to manuscripts with novel or timely findings, and to manuscripts of unusual interest.