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Volume 4 No. 2, April 2009 |
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Dermatoglyphics: A Non-Invasive Anatomical Marker in Egyptian Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Abdel -Razek A. Sheta (1) & Hanan M. Elsaadany (2)
Departments of Anatomy (1), and Physical Medicine,
Rheumatology & Rehabilitation (2), Faculty of Medicine,
Tanta University, Egypt
Background/Aim: Dermatoglyphics is supposed to be influenced by
genetic and environmental factors and so also the rheumatoid
arthritis (RA). Therefore, the present investigation was undertaken
to find out a possible correlation between some quantitative and
qualitative dermatoglyphic variables and rheumatoid arthritis
disease (RA). Materials and methods: This study was conducted on 60
clinically confirmed RA patients (12 males and 48 females), and an
equal number of controls. Different qualitative dermatoglyphic
patterns (ulnar & radial loops, whorls and arches) and quantitative
dermatoglyphic measures (total finger ridge count, pattern intensity
and a-b ridge count) in addition to palmar creases were studied on
rheumatoid arthritis patients and controls. Comparison between
patients and controls in both sexes was done and recorded. Also,
correlation between significant dermatoglyphic changes in RA
patients and radiological changes were investigated. Results: The
qualitative dermatoglyphic patterns of the fingers noticed in the
present study included three main groups: loops, whorls and arches.
Loops were the most common type, followed by whorls then arches. In
both male and female patients, there was marked decrease in ulnar
loops and increase in arches. Both findings were statistically
significant. Non significant decrease of radial loops was also
noticed in female patients while whorls showed non significant
change in both sexes. Total ridge count and pattern intensity of
patients was decreased in both hands of both sexes; however, this
decrease was significant in the left hand of males and right hand of
females. Moreover, the a-b ridge count was significantly decreased
in both hands of female and left hand of male patients. The most
frequent unusual palmer flexion creases were Sydney line, Simian and
partial Simian creases. Significant increase was noticed only in
Sydney line on right hand of female patients. Considering both hands
together, significant inverse correlation was noted between total
ridge count of the fingers and the radiological erosion in both
males and females. Conclusion: The findings of the present work
demonstrate the association between some dermatoglyphic patterns and
RA disease suggesting that dermatoglyphics can represent an
anatomical, non-invasive, inexpensive tool for screening in the
high-risk population, and thus facilitate early detection and
management. Also the relationship between total ridge count and the
aggressive type of RA indicate that this dermatoglyphic variable
might play a significant role not only for the purpose of screening
but also for studying the behavior of the disease.
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