Reliability of Cheiloscopy and Dermatoglyphics in Hypertension and Diabetes. A comparative study

BACKGROUND: Both dermatoglyphic and cheiloscopic patterns are genetically determined. These patterns are known to be associated with type II diabetes or diabetes mellitus and hypertension which are also considered to have genetic influence due to their familial occurrence. Hence, the aim of this study was to compare reliability of both cheiloscopy and dermatoglyphics with hypertension and type II diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective study conducted on 300 study participants. Both cheiloscopic and dermatoglyphic patterns were recorded using validated techniques. Obtained patterns were analyzed and assessed for statistical analysis using the SPSS version 21.0 statistical software. The Chi-square test was used for analyzing the obtained data. RESULTS: In the present study, no statistical correlation was obtained between either dermatoglyphic or cheiloscopic patterns and type II diabetes or hypertension. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that cheiloscopy or dermatoglyphics cannot be used as a predictive tool for assessing a subject's risk of developing type II diabetes or hypertension. These are contradictory findings, thus emphasizing more research in this area so that these noninvasive techniques can be used as predictive tools for developing essential hypertension or type II diabetes.