Citation

Cansız A, İnce B. Early Hum. Dev. 2020; 143: e104971.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2020.104971

PMID

32086117

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The role of sex steroids in bipolar disorder (BD) has been demonstrated in adults. We aimed to evaluate the 2D:4D ratio, which indirectly reflects prenatal sex steroids, in BD. Another purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between clinical features, especially lithium response, and digit ratio.
METHODS: The study included 74 patients with bipolar 1 disorder and 74 healthy individuals matched according to age, gender, and educational status. The digit ratio was calculated by dividing the index finger (2D) length by the ring finger (4D) length in both hands. A lithium response scale was used to evaluate the lithium response history.
RESULTS: There was no difference in 2D:4D ratio between the patients and controls in either right or left hands. The digit ratio was not different between groups with and without suicide attempts. The 2D:4D ratio in the patient group was lower in individuals unresponsive to lithium therapy than in partial and good responders for both right and left hands.
DISCUSSION: According to the results of our study, the 2D:4D ratio in the BD group was not different from healthy controls but was lower in patients unresponsive to lithium. In this respect, the 2D:4D ratio can be considered as a biomarker for lithium response in BD. In large-sample studies, the 2D:4D ratio should be investigated for pathophysiology and treatment response of BD.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Adult; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Antidepressive Agents; Lithium; Bipolar Disorder; Antipsychotic Agents; Drug Resistance; Fingers