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Dermatoglyphic (fingerprint) patterns in celiac disease
Z Weizman1, O Vardi, M Binsztok
1Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition Service, Soroka Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
Insights
Celiac disease patients show distinct fingerprint patterns, with more whorls and fewer ulnar loops. These dermatoglyphic markers may serve as a diagnostic clue for celiac disease, prompting further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Gastroenterology
- Genetics
Background:
- Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten ingestion.
- Early diagnosis of celiac disease is crucial for effective management and preventing complications.
- Dermatoglyphics, the study of fingerprint patterns, has shown associations with various genetic and medical conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential differences in dermatoglyphic patterns between individuals with celiac disease and healthy controls.
- To assess the diagnostic utility of specific fingerprint patterns as potential biomarkers for celiac disease.
Main Methods:
- Fingerprints were collected from 46 celiac disease patients and 46 matched controls.
- Analysis focused on the frequency of specific fingerprint patterns, particularly whorls and ulnar loops.
- Statistical analysis was performed to determine significant differences and diagnostic accuracy.
Main Results:
- Celiac patients exhibited a significantly higher frequency of whorls (69% vs. 28%) and a lower frequency of ulnar loops (44% vs. 19%) compared to controls.
- A pattern of four or more whorls showed a sensitivity of 66% and specificity of 73% for celiac disease.
- A pattern of four or fewer ulnar loops demonstrated a sensitivity of 46% and specificity of 81%.
Conclusions:
- Specific dermatoglyphic patterns, including increased whorls and decreased ulnar loops, are significantly associated with celiac disease.
- Fingerprint analysis may offer a non-invasive diagnostic clue for celiac disease, warranting further investigation.
- These findings suggest dermatoglyphics as a potential adjunct tool in the diagnostic workup of celiac disease.
Abstract:
Fingerprints were obtained from 46 patients with celiac disease and compared with those of 46 control subjects matched for sex and ethnic origin. Whorls were more frequent and ulnar loops were less frequent, significantly, in celiac patients than in controls. A digital pattern of four or more whorls was present in 69% of celiac patients, but in only 28% of controls (p less than 0.001). As a diagnostic test, the fingerprint's sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 66, 73, 67, and 71%, respectively. Similarly, a pattern of four or less ulnar loops was evident in 44% of celiac patients as opposed to only 19% of controls (p less than 0.005). Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 46%, 81%, 62%, and 63%, respectively. We conclude that particular dermatoglyphic patterns are significantly more common in patients with celiac disease than in controls. We therefore suggest that this marker be used as a diagnostic clue, indicating the need for further investigation.