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[Dermatoglyphic patterns in celiac disease]
S Tahan1, E H Medeiros, J Wehba
1Disciplina de Gastroenterologia Pediátrica Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina-EPM-UNIFESP.
Insights
Dermatoglyphic pattern analysis shows higher whorl and arch frequencies in children with celiac disease. While correlated with parental patterns, it
Area of Science:
- Genetics and Human Biology
- Dermatoglyphics
- Medical Diagnostics
Context:
- Previous research in Israel suggested dermatoglyphic differences in children with celiac disease.
- This study investigated these findings in a local population, analyzing fingerprints of celiac children, parents, and siblings.
- A control group matched for age, sex, and race was used for comparison.
Purpose:
- To assess the efficiency of dermatoglyphic pattern analysis as a diagnostic method for celiac disease.
- To determine if specific fingerprint patterns (whorls, loops, arches) are more prevalent in celiac patients.
- To examine the correlation between the dermatoglyphic patterns of celiac children and their parents.
Summary:
- Celiac children exhibited a statistically significant higher frequency of whorls (40.6%) and arches (11.7%) compared to controls (whorls 30.3%, arches 5.0%).
- A strong correlation was observed between the dermatoglyphic patterns of celiac children and their parents.
- The presence of four or more whorls was significantly higher in celiac children (55.6%) than in controls (30.6%).
Impact:
- Dermatoglyphic pattern analysis can serve as complementary data in celiac disease diagnosis.
- However, with low sensitivity (55.6%) and specificity (69.4%) for four or more whorls, it is not suitable as a standalone screening or diagnostic tool.
- Further research may explore other dermatoglyphic markers or combinations for improved diagnostic utility.
Abstract:
In 1990 a project was performed in Israel in which the authors reported a higher frequency of whorls and a lower frequency of ulnar loops in the dermatoglyphic pattern of children with celiac disease than in children belonging to control group. Based on these findings we carried out a similar study with our local population. Thirty six celiac children, their parents and siblings had their fingerprints analysed and compared to a control group matching for age, sex and race, in order to assess the efficiency of this method for the diagnosis of celiac disease. A statistically significant higher frequency of whorls and arches was found in celiac children than in control group (whorls = 40.6%, arches = 11.7%; whorls = 30.3%, arches = 5.0%, respectively) as well as a strong correlation between the dermatoglyphic pattern of the parents and their celiac children. There was also a statistically higher frequency of whorls > = 4 in celiac children (55.6%) than in controls (30.6%). The conclusion is that the dermatoglyphic pattern analysis can be used as a complementary data. Due to its low sensitivity (55.6%) and specificity (69.4%) considering the presence of four or more whorls, it is not useful as a screening or as a method itself, for the diagnosis of celiac disease.