Digito-palmar dermatoglyphics in vitiligo – A case control study

Background: Dermatoglyphics is a scientific study of epidermal ridges and their configuration on the volar skin. It is not established whether there is definite dermatoglyphic pattern which exists with vitiligo. Objectives: To study the finger and palmar dermatoglyphic patterns in vitiligo patients. Methods: The study included a total 112 cases of vitiligo and 104 controls. Handprints of palmar surface and rolled fingerprints of 10 digits were subjected to detailed digito-palmar dermatoglyphic analysis. Results: Male patients had increased percentage of total loops, total ulnar loops and finger ridge counts and increased true palmar patterns (TPP) in right hypothenar, right thenar and both interdigital area (ID)2. Decreased percentage of total radial loops, total whorls, total arches, TPP in right ID3, right ID4 and absolute finger ridge count was noted in male patients. Female cases showed an increased number of arches, true palmar pattern in right hypo- thenar, right ID1 and a-b ridge count along with decreased number of total loops, total ulnar loops, total radial loops, whorls, total finger ridge count, absolute finger ridge count, TPP in right ID2 and left ID3. In both the sexes, atd angle was found to be increased.