Dermatoglyphic patterns in diabetes mellitus in a South Eastern Nigerian population

Abstract

Dermatoglyphic analysis of 49 cases of Diabetes Mellitus and 52 normal individuals was carried out. Twenty- eight (28) of the diabetic patients were males while the remaining twenty-one (21) were females. Twenty-nine (29) of the normal subjects were males while Twenty-three (23) were females. The subjects were all Nigerians from Isiokpo in Kelga (KLGA) Local Government Area of Rivers State.Their parents and grand parents were also Nigerians. The parameters studied included: the digital patterns, atd angle, a-d ridge count and distance a-d. There was no significant difference in the digital patterns between the two groups(diabetics and non-diabetic). However, there was significant difference in atd angle, a-d ridge count and distance a-d between the two groups. These parameters could be used to identify Diabetes Mellitus in diabetic individuals as part of its diagnosis.



Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus, dermatoglyphics.

AJAZEB Vol. 6 2004: pp. 6-10