Anogenital distance, a biomarker of fetal androgen exposure and the risk of prostate cancer: A case-control study

Urologia. 2023 Nov;90(4):715-719. doi: 10.1177/03915603231192736. Epub 2023 Aug 22.

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate the association between AGD and the risk of PCa.

Methods: Incident case-control study, conducted on 153 patients. All patients underwent prostate biopsy for abnormal digital rectal exam and/or prostate antigen elevation. Two variants of AGD [anus to scrotum base (AGDas) and anus to dorsal insertion of penis (AGDap) were measured. Student's t-test was used to analyze continuous variables and chi-square for discrete variables. Differences in AGD (raw and adjusted) measures between cases and controls were assessed using the ANCOVA test.

Results: There is significant association between the diagnose of PCa and both AGD, patients diagnosed with PCa had both AGD measures shortened, in the crude and the full adjusted models.

Conclusions: This research suggests that the same gestational environmental exposures, could represent a weak androgen signaling and may also have an increased risk of prostate cancer.

Keywords: Fingers; digit ratio; prostate; prostatic neoplasms; sex characteristics.

MeSH terms

  • Anal Canal
  • Androgens* / adverse effects
  • Biomarkers
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Penis
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / etiology

Substances

  • Androgens
  • Biomarkers