The relationship with hypertension of the second and fourth finger ratio (2P:4P)

Hypertension is the primary risk factor for cardiovascular events, target organ damage, premature death and disability worldwide. The pathophysiology of hypertension is complex and is influenced by many factors, including gender. Sex hormones affect the regulation of blood pressure, cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities differently. Homeobox genes play a role in both the development of the fingers and the formation of the urogenital systems in the prenatal period. The ratio of second finger (2P) and fourth finger (4P) lengths (2P:4P) is affected by sex hormones in the prenatal period. In this study, it was aimed to reveal the relationship between the regulation of blood pressure and the prevalence of hypertension, which is different between the sexes, and finger length ratios developed under the influence of sex hormones. 400 people, 200 men and 200 women, who were diagnosed with hypertension, and the same number of healthy people participated in the study. Height, weight and body mass index of people in hypertension and control groups were calculated. Second and fourth finger lengths, hand width and hand length were measured for both hands. 2P:4P ratios and hand indexes were calculated. IBM SPSS Statistics Version 22.0 package program was used for statistical analysis of the data. Body mass index was determined to be in the normal weight category in the control group, and in the overweight category of the hypertension patients (p<0.001). Only the left hand index of female hypertension was greater than the female control group (p<0.001). No statistically significant results were found in either hand among men. The 2P:4P ratio was higher in both men and women in the hypertension group than in the control group and was valid for both hands (p<0.05). As a result of comprehensive studies to be carried out in the future, the 2P:4P ratio from birth can be a measurement method that can be used to determine the risk of hypertension, thus enabling diagnosis and treatment options for people in the risk group. Keywords: Hypertension, 2P:4P, hand, finger