Study on Fingertip Pattern in Bronchial Asthma Patients

Background: Asthma is a complex, chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways of the lungs characterized by recurrent attacks of breathlessness, cough, and wheezing, which vary in its severity and frequency. Dermatoglyphics deals with the study of ridge patterns on the fingertips, palm, soles, and toes. Both asthma and dermatoglyphics are genetically determined and is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Objective: This study was done to compare the fingertip patterns in bronchial asthma patients with control group. Methodology: Palm prints were obtained from both hands of 250 clinically diagnosed bronchial asthma patients who attended the OPDs of Respiratory medicine and Pediatrics of M E S Medical College, Perinthalmanna. Equal number of age and sex-matched controls without any respiratory or other systemic diseases were selected. The study included fingertip patterns like whorl, arch, loop, TFRC and AFRC. Result: This study shows statistically significant difference between the fingertip patterns in bronchial asthma patients when compared with the control group. Conclusion: Dermatoglyphic analysis of the fingertip pattern can serve as a non-invasive anatomical marker and a predictor tool to determine the individuals with bronchial asthma.