Relationship between triradii angles and blood pressure among adolescents of Ebira ethnic group of Kogi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Dermatoglyphics have been wildly studies to identify and classify individual and population. Several health and disease conditions have been reported to present unique dermatoglyphic patterns. This study was aimed at investigating the relationship between triradii angles on the palm and the blood pressure of selected dialects of Ebira ethnic group. A total of 591 subjects (Ebira-Tao, n=199; Ebira-Etuno, n=196; Ebira-Koto, n=196), both males and females randomly selected participated in this study. The palm prints of participants were collected using the ink and roller method and analyzed for the triradii points and measurements of triradii angles using a hand magnifying lens. The participants’ resting blood pressure; systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured by manual auscultation using a sphygmomanometer. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, and Chi-Square. The three dialects had mean SBP and DBP within the normal range. The triradii angles revealed mean acute angles across the three dialects in the order atd < dat < adt angles. There were differences in means triradii angles across the blood pressure categories (normal, low and high) for the three dialects in males and females as higher atd and dat angles were significantly related to higher blood pressure. This was also corroborated by the test for association. In conclusion, there was a significant relationship between blood pressure and some triradii angles in two out of the three dialects. Hence, triradii angles may be an indicator for individuals with the tendency to develop high blood pressure.