Dermatoglyphics and Cheiloscopy patterns in hypertensive and type 2 Diabetes mellitus patients: An observational study

BACKGROUND: Essential hypertension is a type of hypertension which bears no etiological reasons. It is found to affect approximately 90 to 95 percent of hypertensive individuals. Similarly, type 2 diabetes or diabetes mellitus is a genetically determined systemic condition with a close relation to familial medical history. Both of these conditions or diseases are closely linked with the process of ageing among various other inherited and genetically determined factors. Importantly, a positive family history increases disease risk manifolds. As there is increased risk of hypertension and development of type 2 diabetes in individuals with family history because of genetic factors, the study of co-relation between dermatoglyphics and hypertension can aid in early identification of individuals with a genetic predisposition towards developing hypertension and type 2 diabetes. AIM: The aim and objectives were as follows: (1) Analyze dermatoglyphic finger patterns; (2) Analyze cheiloscopic patterns; (3) Comparison of cheiloscopic and dermatoglyphic patterns with hypertension and type 2 diabetes; and (4) to determine if dermatoglyphics and/or cheiloscopic patterns can be used as tool(s) for pre-identification of inherited diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total 300 study participants age range above 40 years were selected after obtaining informed consent. Lip patterns were recorded using a dark-colored lipstick and a transparent cellophane tape while finger print patterns were recorded using stamp ink-pad and by applying uniform finger pressure on blank paper sheet. RESULTS AND OBSERVATIONS: Cheiloscopic patterns analysis showed that the branched, straight, intersected, reticular followed by undifferentiated patterns were present in decreasing frequency among male patients while among female patients, branched, intersected, straight and reticular patterns were observed. However, no undifferentiated pattern was observed in female subjects. These findings were consistent with both diabetic as well as hypertensive patients. On the other hand, finger pattern analysis showed that ulnar loop was most frequently observed in both male and female patients with either hypertension or type 2 diabetes. Also, this was followed in decreasing order by arch type pattern, radial loop pattern and whorl pattern in both genders. CONCLUSION: It can be surmised from the study that both the finger prints and lip patterns can be used to ascertain predisposition to type 2 diabetes and hypertension.