STUDY OF DERMATOGLYPHICS IN YOUNG HYPERTENSIVES VISITING A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Dr. Rakesh Garlapati, Dr. Sudhanva Kinhal, Dr. Harish Muniraj, Dr. Thanuj K. V., Dr. Vennela D.

ABSTRACT

Hypertension is a major contributor to the global burden of the disease and mortality. First evidence of shift in epidemiology of childhood hypertension was seen in 2004 analysis NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) data in USA. Results of NHANES survey demonstrated overall blood pressure levels in children and adolescents have increased over the past decade. Dermatoglyphics (Greek derma = "skin", glyph = "carving") is the scientific study of fingerprints. A fingerprint is an impression of the friction ridges of all or any part of the finger.[5] Dermatoglyphics is one such investigation, which is very cheap, non-invasive, easy and can “predict” possible future illness. This new field of interpretation of fingerprints may predict the occurrence of disease and its complications. Considering these possibilities, the present study is undertaken to study the fingerprint pattern in young hypertensive patients visiting a tertiary care hospital. Results showed predominant pattern among young hypertensives was loops (66.7%) followed by whorls (26.7%). Female hypertensives had an increased frequency of loops (66.7 %), and males had an increased frequency of whorls (26.7%) when compared to normal population.

Keywords: Young hypertensives, Dermatoglyphics, Loops.