Is digit ratio a biomarker of bone mineral density? Sivas Cumhuriyet University example

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and digit ratio, with the goal of evaluating the potential of digit ratio as a marker for predicting osteoporosis-type bone diseases. The study sample included 200 patients (100 women and 100 men) who visited the Nuclear Medicine Clinic at Cumhuriyet University Research Hospital for check-ups, along with a control group of 100 healthy individuals (50 women and 50 men). Bone densitometry measurements were obtained for all participants, and the lengths of the second and fourth digits on both hands were measured using digital calipers. The results indicated a positive correlation between digit ratio and BMD, with this relationship being more pronounced in women. In men, significant positive correlations were found between the right-hand digit ratio and left BMD (r = 0.589), the right digit ratio and left T-score (r = 0.544), and the right digit ratio and left Z-score (r = 0.454). Similar positive associations were observed between the right digit ratio and femoral BMD (r = 0.608), femoral T-score (r = 0.465), and femoral Z-score (r = 0.362) (p < 0.05). For women, stronger positive correlations were identified between the right-hand digit ratio and left BMD (r = 0.707), the right digit ratio and left T-score (r = 0.815), and the right digit ratio and left Z-score (r = 0.737). Additionally, significant associations were noted between the right digit ratio and femoral BMD (r = 0.469), femoral T-score (r = 0.535), and femoral Z-score (r = 0.495) (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that the association between digit ratio and bone mineral density is stronger in women. In summary, individuals with a high digit ratio generally have higher bone density.