Synophrys: Epidemiological Study

INTRODUCTION: Fusion of eyebrows above the bridge of nose is known as synophrys and is a normal variation. This variation is also recognized as a clinical feature of several genetic disorders, Cornelia De Lange syndrome being the commonest. Several studies, on aesthetics of face and eyebrows have been conducted, also on the role of eyebrows in emotional expression and nonverbal communication. A recent study has pointed a gene associated with synophrys. Surprisingly, however synophrys and its prevalence in the normal population is not known thus we conducted a study of its prevalence in Oman. METHODS: All cases attending dermatology clinic at Saham hospital and their accompanying persons were examined for synophrys. The anonymous data was tabulated in a register and then it was transferred to computer system. Data was tabulated according to age, gender, presence of synophrys and any associated condition or genetic disorders or any chronic lifestyle disorders. It was analysed using SPSS 22 software. RESULTS: We observed 927 subjects during the period of study. They ranged from ages of 4 months to 69 years. The males (68) outnumbered females (42). We found 110 cases (11.87%) who presented with synophrys. DISCUSSION: The tendency of eyebrows to meet in the center of the face is known as synophrys. There is wide variation in the color, distribution and density of the eyebrow hair. Inheritance of synophrys however appears to be polygenic. Several genetic syndromes are associated with synophrys like Cornelia De Lange syndrome, which is the commonest. In our study we could not identify any genetic association in any of our cases. We studied the prevalence of synophrys in Omani population (11.87%).