Finger print patterns distribution among diabetics and non-diabetics in western Uganda population

Abstract

Background: Dactyloscopy is a branch of dermatoglyphics (the study of epidermal ridges) which involves assessment and classification of fingerprint patterns for identification. All fingerprint patterns are laid down permanently from the third month of the intra-uterine life and they remain unchanged throughout the life. This is also the time when all organs in the body are finalizing their development. Therefore, a positive association of the dermatoglyphic features with different diseases like diabetes, mongolism, schizophrenia and leprosy have been well documented in the literature. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the dermatoglyphic patterns and the specific variations which may be used as a valuable diagnostic tool for early detection of diabetes mellitus. Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study, a total of 150 diabetic subjects and 150 non- diabetics (control) were selected from the KIUTH Western Uganda and their fingerprints were taken by the Indian ink method. The print patterns including whorls, arches, ulnar and radial loops were analysed and the variations were cross-tabulated between sex, the side of the hand and pattern distribution indexes. Data was analysed using SPSS version 26 and Dankmeijer's index and Furuhata's index were used to assess variability of the fingerprint patterns. Chi square tests was used to test for significance in variations at a confidence interval of 95%. Results and conclusion: Ulnar loops were the most predominant patterns among diabetic subjects at 35.2% followed closely by whorls at 35.1%. The most common pattern were whorls found in both hands of females at 21% (315/1500), whilst the most common pattern for male group were whorls at 17.5% (262). However, some fingers such as the ring finger completely lacked an arch pattern in both groups. The increase in arches was strongly supported by a significant increase in Dankmeijer’s index. The presence of high number of ulnar loops can therefore maybe used as an early indicator of type two diabetes.