Dermatoglyphics in early-onset diabetes mellitus.

Abstract

Dermatoglyphic findings in 80 patients with diabetes mellitus of early onset (<40 years) are described. Pattern types on fingers, total ridge count, palmar configurations, a–b ridge count, maximal atd angle, and abnormal palmar creases are considered. Although no gross differences were found, compared with normal controls, female diabetics showed a decreased frequency of finger whorls and an increased frequency of arches, and male diabetics showed a high frequency of patterns in the fourth interdigital area. It is unlikely that the above findings can be considered as characteristic of early-onset diabetes because this probably represents a number of genetic subtypes each of which could have its particular dermatoglyphic characteristics; when diabetes is further subclassified, dermatoglyphic analyses should be repeated.