Role of Dermatoglyphic Fingertip Patterns in the prediction of Maturity Onset Diabetes Mellitus (Type II)

Dermatoglyphic features are inherited by polygenic system with individual gene contributing a small additive effect. The present research aims to primarily study the various dermatoglyphic patterns in the patients of the Maturity Onset Diabetes Mellitus (Type II diabetes) and compare these statistically with the dermatoglyphic patterns in individuals not suffering from it. The present study was carried out on 101 (51 male and 50 female) clinically diagnosed patients of maturity onset diabetes mellitus. Healthy controls (n=100, 50 males and 50 females) were studied for comparison. Palmar prints were obtained in all the patients and controls and the dermatoglyphic patterns were analyzed using statistical considerations. Standard fingertip pattern configurations and landmarks were used in the study. Significantly higher frequency of arches and lower frequency of whorls were observed in female diabetics than controls. Dankmeijer's Index was highest in female diabetic group and Furuhata's Index was highest in the male control group. AFRC and TFRC were significantly lower in diabetic females than controls. Findings of the present study after a meticulous analysis of different fingertip dermatoglyphic variables highlights on the possible markers and indicate that there is scope for further study on a larger sample size. Keywords- Arches, Dermatoglyphics, Maturity Onset Diabetes Mellitus, Palmar print, Ulnar loops, Radial loops, Whorls