No abstract

Fingerprint and palmar dermatoglyphics and creases were investigated in 60 patients (20 males and 40 females) with generalized neurofibromatosis. Like previous investigators, we found a significantly increased frequency of digital central pocket patterns. Furthermore, affected males and females had an increased frequency of monocentric whorls (P = 0.0037), higher quantitative values on digit II of both hands (P = 0.04), more often a reduction of main line C (P less than 0.05) with decreased frequencies of patterns in the 3rd and 4th interdigital area of the left hand (P less than 0.05), and a lower ab ridge count (males P less than 0.005; females P less than 0.001) than control individuals. On the right hand of males the frequency of high endings (5' or 5'') of line A was decreased (P less than 0.05). A significantly increased frequency of Sfl (Sydney line) was found in female patients (P less than 0.001). Male and female patients often showed a high number of secondary creases (P less than 0.001).

The relationships between eating and drinking habits, and serum as well as 24-hour urinary concentrations of calcium, inorganic phosphate uric acid and urinary pH were studied in 379 patient in whom stones form. The 24-hour urinary calcium excretion was found to be increased in patients who preferably eat animal proteins and farinaceous foods (p less than 0.1). Regarding drinking habits, urinary calcium and inorganic phosphate excretion was found to increase significantly as a function of alcohol ingestion (p less than 0.01 and p less than 0.001, respectively). Similarly, an increased alcohol intake was found to be associated with higher serum uric acid concentrations (p less than 0.01). A significant increase in urinary pH was confined to patients preferably eating vegetables (p less than 0.005). The results of our study suggest alcohol consumption to be a potentiating factor for the risk of stone formation.

No abstract