Association of premature ejaculation with adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Relationship with digit ratio

Abstract

Increased intrauterine testosterone exposure may be a common etiological factor for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and premature ejaculation (PE). This study aimed to determine the frequency of PE in adult ADHD and its relationship with the ratio between the second digit (2D) and fourth digit (4D) (2D:4D), which is accepted as an indicator of fetal testosterone exposure. 24 ADHD patients and 38 healthy controls were included in the study. Patients were evaluated using the Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) and Adult ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder)/ADHD DSM (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) IV-Based Diagnostic Screening and Rating Scale. PE was diagnosed according to DSM-5 criteria during the clinical interview with the participants. The 2D and 4D of the participants were measured directly with a digital caliper (0.01 mm sensitivity). The 2D:4D of the 2 groups was compared with each other. The prevalence of PE was 45.8% in the ADHD group and 5.2% in the control group. There was a statistically significant difference between the ADHD and control groups in terms of the 2D:4D (P = .004). Although there was no statistically significant difference (P > .05), ADHD patients with PE had lower right and left 2D:4D compared to those without PE. In adults with ADHD, PE was found to be both more frequent and lower in the 2D:4D, suggesting that high testosterone levels play a role in both the etiology of ADHD and PE. For this reason, it was thought that the frequency of coexistence is high because of the possible common etiology of these 2 clinical diagnoses.

Keywords: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; digit ratio; premature ejaculation.