Comparative Study on the Dermatoglyphic Pattern among Diabetic (Type-2) and Non-diabetic Adults in North Indian Population

Dermatoglyphics is the study of epidermal ridges and their configurations. The appearance of it in individuals is genetically determined; as the diabetes mellitus also has a genetic background; one can assume that there might be certain dermatoglyphic findings specific to diabetic patients.

Aims & objectives: The aim of the study is to determine the dermatoglyphic patterns and their co-relation in Type 2 diabetes mellitus in North Indian population.

Material & Methods: This study was conducted in the department of Anatomy, IIMS &R, Hospital, Lucknow. The 100 diabetic subjects were enrolled as test group and 150 non-diabetic healthy subjects were enrolled as a control group from a healthy population. To record the fingertip patterns, Modified Purvis-Smith ink method was applied.

Results: In both diabetic males and females WHORLS are most common (p≤0.000, Extremely Significant) in both right (52.07% males; 53.19% females) and left (51.32% males; 51.48% females) hands. However in non-diabetic both males and females; LOOPS are most common (Extremely Significant, p ≤0.000) in both right (61.19% males; 66.67% females) and left hand. (56.90% males; 66.06% females)

Conclusion: In our study, the whorls are a most common pattern in both right and left hands of both male and female diabetic subjects and loops are most common pattern in both right and left hands, in both males and females in non-diabetic subjects.