European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Introduction: Dermatoglyphics is the scientific study of finger prints from palms, fingers, soles and toes of humans and animals. The uniqueness is it reflects DNA hence does not change & correlated with genetic abnormalities and are useful in biomedical studies. Vitiligo is the commonest heritable acquired progressive pigmentory disorder of skin. Altered dermatoglyphics pattern is well established as a early diagnostic aid in such disorder.
Material and Methods: Patients suffering from vitiligo 100 of them  (38 males and 62 females)visiting the dermatology OPD at Vydehi Institute of Medical College and Research Center, Bangalore,  were considered as cases in the study. Controls were hospital staff & medical students from the same institute. Dermatoglyphic prints were taken by the ink method & analysed with the help of magnifying hand lens.
Results: The whorl pattern in vitiligo was the commonest, mean value  was more in males than females, frequency of left hand fingers more than right in both male & female cases, Whorl pattern showed higher ratio in males in all left fingers except ring finger, in females was in left thumb, index, ring fingers. The arch pattern in vitiligo was least, mean value showed females more than males, showed in males more frequency of  left hand fingers, in females right hand fingers compared to other hand. Arch pattern showed higher frequency in males in left thumb & little finger, absent in index, ring finger, in females it was more in right fingers & absent in index finger. The loop pattern was 2^nd commonest , mean value was more in males vitiligo & showed right more than left hand fingers both in males & females, Loop ratios were higher in males in all the digits except ring finger & in females showed higher ratio left hand in thumb, middle & little finger. The Total finger ridge count mean value in vitiligo showed males more than females & there was significant difference between male vitiligo & control group.
Conclusion: This concluded from our study that difference observed between vitiligo & control may be result of genetic abnormality or influence of some intrauterine environment factors. The study of dermatoglyphic pattern serves as aid to diagnose and may indicate an increasing tendency to develop the disease