Dermatoglyphics as a genetic marker for oral submucous fibrosis: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Genetics play an important role in the determination of palmer dermatoglyphics. Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) in India is high due to excess consumption of areca nut. Hereditary and environmental factors causing OSMF may lead to peculiarities in the dermatoglyphic patterns. Dermatoglyphics can identify the disease at the earliest, and preventive measures can be instituted for subjects having OSMF. Aims: To assess the dermatoglyphic pattern of subjects with OSMF and to compare it with that of the control group. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among patients 15 years and older visiting the Outpatient Department of a dental institute. They were selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The sample size was determined using G*Power software. The sample size thus determined was 39 which was rounded off to 40, thus 20 subjects were allotted to each group. The dermatoglyphic pattern of both hands of the study and control group was obtained using a special standard ink method. The dermatoglyphic patterns were analyzed qualitatively for loops, arches and whorls. Chi-square test was used to determine the difference in dermatoglyphic patterns of the two groups. Results: The percentage of whorls in study groups was 24% and 20% in the right and left hand respectively, as compared to 7% and 5% in controls group. The percentage of arches in study group was 0% and 1% in the right and left hand respectively as compared to 8% and 7% in control group. These differences were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Difference between the percentage of arches and whorls of the two groups was found to be significant suggesting that dermatoglyphics could be used as a genetic marker for determining susceptibility toward OSMF.