Role of palm ATD angle in screening of adults with Type II diabetes mellitus in western Kenya

Abstract

Background: Atd angle indicates degree of axial triradius distal displacement. Triradius is the central point where ridges  meet and radiate in three directions. Digital triradius is around base of digits II to V while axial triradius is near  wrist crease of palms proximal portion. Type II diabetes is a polygenic illness that has higher heredity chance and  disease susceptibility. Palm dermatoglyphics analysis can be used to study genetic disorders of hereditary origin  although its accuracy is in question.

Objective: to assess role of atd angle in screening of type II diabetics among adults in Western Kenya.

Design: hospital based Cross-sectional study design Setting: Kakamega County Teaching and Referral  Hospital, Western Kenya

Participants: 150 diabetic patients (cases) compared with 150 non-diabetics (controls).

Interventions: Demographic data was recorded and thereafter, palm prints taken using Indian-ink method. Main outcome measures: Atd angle was grouped in to 38º-40º; 41º -43º; 44º - 46º and ≥47º. Chi- square test was used to  analyze difference in mean atd angle measurement.

Results: Common atd angle measurement was between 38º-40º at  46.69% (280), and least common was ≥47º at 7.84% (47). There was no statistical difference in measurements among  both males and female of diabetics and non-diabetics groups. Mean atd angle between non-diabetics and diabetics was  43.97º and 43.15º respectively but difference was not statistically significant (p=0.0998).

Conclusion: Palm atd angle  measurement did not contribute significantly in early screening of diabetes as there were no significant differences  between diabetics and controls.