Diabetic post-covid mucormycosis: A dermatoglyphic prediction

Area of Science:

• Dermatoglyphics
• Medical Mycology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Mucormycosis is a serious fungal infection, particularly affecting individuals with diabetes, and its incidence increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Identifying susceptible patients early is crucial for timely intervention and improved outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine characteristic dermatoglyphic patterns in diabetic patients with post-COVID mucormycosis.
• To identify potential early diagnostic markers for this patient group.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of palm and fingerprint patterns (qualitative and quantitative) from 30 diabetic patients with post-COVID complications.
• Measurement of ridge counts and specific angles (ATD).

Main Results:

• Predominant whorl patterns observed in males and loop patterns in females.
• Absence of C-line pattern in 36.6% of patients.
• Significant differences (P<0.005) in most ridge counts compared to hypothesized values; ATD angles were not significant.

Conclusions:

• Ridge counts, excluding the ab ridge count of the right hand, are reliable parameters for diagnosing diabetic post-COVID mucormycosis.
• The ATD angle, typically reliable for diabetes mellitus diagnosis, is not significant in this specific context.