Lip Print Analysis to Predict Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Ethnicity Identification among Saudi and Kuwaiti...

Lip prints, or cheiloscopy, have potential forensic and diagnostic applications. The present study was undertaken to assess the correlation between lip print patterns and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Saudi and Kuwaiti female populations, as well as explore ethnic differences in lip print patterns.

A descriptive study was performed among 121 female participants (30 diabetics and 91 non-diabetics) aged 20-65 years from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Cheiloscopic patterns were analyzed using the Tsuchihashi and Suzuki categorization. Data analysis was done using the Chi-square test of association. For all analysis, level of significance was set below 5%.

Saudi diabetic females predominantly exhibited the vertical lip print pattern (67%), while the reticular pattern (73%) was most common in Kuwaiti diabetics. Non-diabetic participants in both groups primarily showed the undifferentiated pattern. Significant differences were found between diabetic Saudi and Kuwaiti females. The branched pattern (16.1%) in non-diabetic Saudis may indicate future risk for T2DM.

Lip print analysis shows potential as a non-invasive marker for T2DM risk and ethnic differentiation. Further studies are needed to confirm its utility as a diagnostic tool.