1DEPARTMENT OF ANATOMY,

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.

Key word: Diabetes Mellitus, dermatoglyphics.

Attention has been drawn to dermatoglyphic correlation with a number of genetic disorders including Diabetes Mellitus since the first comprehensive Dermatoglyphic study on Diabetes Mellitus was published (Barta et al 1978). Nearly all chromosomal disorders have been known to show dermatoglyphic patterns which can be used as part of preliminary diagnostic tools for such disorders (David J.J.1981).Widespread variation between the ethnic groups occurs, thus there is need to determine the parameter values for use in making a diagnosis in each ethnic group. The objective of the present study was to determine the parameter values for use in Nigeria most especially Southe rn Nigeria where the study was conducted.

The study was carried out on 29 "normal", healthy, males, 23 "normal" healthy females, and on 28 diabetic males and 21 diabetic females who were all Eastern Nigerians. The diabetic patients were selected from the Diabetic Unit of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt,Nigeria after obtaining the necessary permission while the non-diabetics were selected randomly from Isiopko in Kelga(KLGA) Local Government Area of Rivers State . Ink prints of the palms and the fingers of both hands were taken. The prints were studied with the aid of magnifying glass. The prints were analyzed based on Cummins’ method (Cummins et al 1929). In all, four parameters were recorded (see figure 1). These included the digital pattern, atd angle, ad – RC and ad - distance. The record was made for each subject. The results for the two groups were compared using test of significance (students’ ‘t’ test).

Table 1 shows the summary of percentage frequency of digital patterns in Diabetic and Normal groups. This was obtained by adding the percentages of each pattern in all the ten digits and the average was then calculated. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the Normal group and Diabetic patients. Comparisons were made of all other variables (Table 2) using students’ ‘t’ test. Significant differences were observed in the following: atd angle, RC a-d and distance a-d. The differences were significant in both hands (P<0.05) of both sexes.

Figure 1: Scheme to show digital patterns, a,b,c,d and t triradii, a-d distance atd angle and the palmar creases.

TABLE 1: Summary of percentage frequency of digital patterns in diabetic (D) and normal (N) groups from Kelga attending diabetic clinics of the University of Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria.

TABLE 2: Summary of parameters showing significant differences in groups of normal (non-diabetic) and diabetics from Kelga attending diabetic clinics of the University of Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria.

LH - Left Hand.

RH - Right Hand.

RC - Ridge Count.

SE - Standard Error of Mean.

Shield et al (1995) found no significant differences between Normals and Diabetic patients with regard to total ridge count (TRC), digital pattern, atd angle,a-d ridge count, a-d distance, b-c distance and position of axial triradius (t). Mandasescu et al (1995) did not found any difference in atd angles of the right hand of the two groups. He however found differences in atd angle, dat angle and distance a-d. Ravindranath R. and Thomas I.M.(1995) found an increase radial and ulnar loops and arches with a decrease in whorls in male Diabetic patients ,and in female Diabetic patients, an increase in ulnar loop and a decrease in whorls in the left hand. In the present study, however, ulnar loop has the highest percentage in both hands of diabetic and non-diabetic groups. This is followed by whorl, arch while the least is radial loop in both hands of the two groups. These variations could be due to ethnic differences as shown by Wertelechi W (1991). The present study also records significant differences in atd angle, a-d ridge count and a-d distance in both hands between the two groups. In males, atd angle is significantly higher in the left hand but lower in the right hand of diabetics than non-diabetics. Also, a-d ridge count and a-d distance are significantly higher in both hands of diabetics than non-diabetics. In females, atd angle is significantly lower in both hands of diabetics than non-diabetics while a-d ridge count and a-d distance are significantly higher in both hands of diabetics than non-diabetics.

In conclusion, this study records for the first time in Nigeria local variation in dermatoglyphic pattern in diabetes mellitus in a South Eastern Nigerian population that could serve as tool for diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus in Nigerian. The results in Table 2 could therefore serve as an early indication of possible later onset of Diabetes in the population.

We are grateful to all those who have contributed to the success of this study most especially to Dr. Sunny Chinenye of Diabetic Unit University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria.