Study of the Fingertip Pattern as a Tool for the Identification of the Dermatoglyphic Trait in Bronchial Asthma

Abstract

Bronchial Asthma is one of the most extensively studied respiratory diseases and its genetic basis is well established. Dermatoglyphic traits are formed under genetic control early in development but may be affected by environmental factors during first trimester of pregnancy. These patterns may represent the genetic makeup of an individual and therefore his/her predisposition to certain diseases. Patterns of dermatoglyphics have been studied in various congenital disorders like Down's syndrome, Klinefelter's syndrome and also in chronic diseases like Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus etc. Epidermal ridge patterns of finger tips in bronchial asthma patients were studied to find out fingertip pattern as Dermatoglyphic features in patients of Bronchial Asthma; it's comparison and association if exists between normal and bronchial asthma patients and also to find use of fingertip pattern in early childhood as non-invasive anatomical marker for bronchial asthma in adulthood. The study was conducted on clinically diagnosed all bronchial asthma patients attending OPD of Dr Ulhas Patil Medical College, Jalgaon. Matched controls were selected without any respiratory problem or any symptoms related to asthma from medical students, staff members and paramedical staff of hospital after taking the informed consent and permission from the institutional ethical committee. Data collection and fingertip prints were taken by ink and rolling finger method. Prints taken were analysed and tabulated; data was analysed by using statistical tests. Study shows that decrease in number of arches, increase in AFRC in patients as compared with controls. Also there were increased ulnar loops in male patients and increased Whorls and radial loops in female patients. The fingerprints can represent a non-invasive anatomical marker of bronchial asthma risk and facilitate early detection and effective management which is vital for selecting appropriate agents for treating infections.