Moscow University
Anthropology
Bulletin

Finger length (2D:4D) type and age-related hand bone changes

Kalichman L (1), Batsevich V.A. (2), Kobyliansky E. (3)

1) Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Department of Physical Therapy, Recanati School for Community Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences, P.O.B. 653 Beer Sheva 84105, Israel; 2) Lomonosov Moscow State University, Anuchin Institute and Museum of Anthropology, Mochovaya st., 11, Moscow, 125009, Russia; 3) Tel Aviv University, Human Population Biology Research Unit, Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel

Kalichman Leonid, PhD, kleonid@bgu.ac.il, kalichman@hotmail.com; Batsevich Valery, PhD, batsevich53@mail.ru; Kobyliansky Eugene, PhD, anatom14@post.tau.ac.il.

Abstract

Aim. The aim of this population-based study was to evaluate the association between the index to ring (2D:4D) finger length ratio type and age-related skeletal traits – hand osteoarthritis (OA) and the osseographic score (OSS). Materials and Methods. A population-based sample included 802 males and 738 females who had participated in a Chuvashian skeletal aging study. Age, sex, basic demographics, anthropometric data and x-rays of both hands were collected. Each hand was visually classified on x-ray as either type 1 – index finger longer than the ring finger; type 2 – index and ring finger equal in length; or type 3 – index finger shorter than the ring finger. Hand OA was defined by the number of affected joints (Kellgren-Lawrence scoree≥2) in both hands and the total sum of Kellgren-Lawrence scores (total OA score). OSS is a skeletal biomarker that comprises osteoporotic and OA changes observable on a hands x-ray. Results. After comparing the OA variables of individuals with different finger length ratio types significant differences were found only in females between finger ratio types of the right hand in the number of affected joints and finger ratio types of the left and right hands of the total OA score. Females with type 3 ratio had the highest adjusted values of hand OA parameters. OSS showed significant association with age, body mass index and sex. Results of one-way ANCOVA for finger length ratio types of right hand showed a significant difference in OSS, after adjustment for age, sex, and BMI. The posthoc comparison showed that individuals with type 3 (2D<4D) ratio showed significantly higher OSS scores that ones with type 1 and type 2. In an analysis of finger length ratio types of left hand also a significant difference in OSS was found. The posthoc comparison showed that individuals with type 3 (2D<4D) ratio showed significantly higher OSS scores that ones with type 2 ratio. Conclusions. We found that finger length ratio types are associated with hand OA parameters and OSS, a skeletal biomarker of biological aging. Females with a type 3 finger length pattern showed significantly higher hand OA and OSS values than those with types 1 and 2.

Keywords

anthropology; hand; osteoarthritis; 2D:4D; finger length ratio type; osseorgraphic score; Chuvashian populations

DOI: 10.32521/2074-8132.2018.2.005-016

Цит.: Kalichman L, Batsevich V.A., Kobyliansky E. Finger length (2D:4D) type and age-related hand bone changes // Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin (Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seria XXIII. Antropologia), 2018; 2/2018; с. 5-16

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