A Comparative Study of Dermatoglyphics (Finger Tip Pattern) in Patients With Myocardial Infarction and Control Group.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Dermatoglyphics is the scientific study of epidermal ridges and their configurations on the palmar region of hand and fingers and plantar region of foot and toes. The myocardial infarction is almost always caused by coronary artery disease. Against the genetic background of dermatoglyphic patterns and coronary artery disease, the study was undertaken to determine the correlation between them. AIMS To do a comparative study of the dermatoglyphics (finger tip pattern) in patients with myocardial infarction and control group and to assess the usefulness of finger tip pattern in serving as a predictor for myocardial infarction. SETTING AND DESIGN: The study was done in 200 persons of age between 40 to 75 years. Out of them,100 were confirmed cases of CAD and 100 were normal healthy controls. METHODS AND MATERIAL: The finger and palmar prints of both hands were taken on white paper by Ink method and kores duplicating ink was used for taking the prints. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: In statistical analysis SPSS software was used and Z test was used. The p value less than .001 and .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: It was found that the total number of whorls are significantly higher in patients with myocardial infarction and total number of loops are significantly lower in patients with CAD. Such difference was significant only in right thumb, left thumb, right ring finger and left little finger. Similarly, loops were significantly less in right thumb, right index finger, right and left little finger. With regard to high incidence of MI, it can be concluded that the knowledge of dermatoglyphics in patients with MI can be utilized to find out genetic correlation. The existence of such relation might be important in the screening program for prevention of MI.

A Study of Dermatoglyphic Patterns of Fingers in Patients with Myocardial Infarction

“…Chimne et al documented the decrease in the percentage of arches in CAD patients of both sexes and in both hands but not significant [12]. Saxena et al [13], Patloo et al [14] Kakkeri et al [15] found out lower incidence of arches in MI cases. Whorls: In the present study, the frequency of whorl is increased in MI patients (P<0.000001) when compared to controls and significantly increased in both hands (p<0.01).…”

“…Chimne et al also found out the significant decrease in loop pattern in all digits of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients [12]. Saxena et al [13], Patloo et al [14], and Kakkeri et al [15] also reported (p<0.05) [12]. Dhall et al also reported significant increase in the whorls in right thumb, right little finger and left ring finger [9].…”