Evaluation of the Role of Dermatoglyphics, Oral Micronuclei and ABO Blood Grouping in Determining Type 2 Diabetes-A Multi-Parameter Approach

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus type-2 affecting around 12% of Indian population is a multifactorial metabolic disease with several complications warranting high concern for effective prevention and control measures. Aim: To evaluate the role of dermatoglyphics, oral micronuclei and ABO blood grouping in determining Type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods: A total of 44 diabetic patient and 45 age and sex matched healthy controls were selected. Palmar prints, oral cytosmears and blood samples were collected from both groups. Fingerprints and ATD angle were assessed from the palmar prints. Oral smears obtained were stained using Papanicolaou stain and assessed for micronuclei frequency. About 1 mL of blood sample obtained by venepuncture method was subjected to ABO blood grouping. Dermatoglyphic findings were expressed as Mean±SD. Independent sample t-test was used for comparison of ATD angle and oral micronuclei frequency in both groups. Chi-square test was used for testing the association of blood grouping to diabetes mellitus. Results: On fingerprint analysis, ulnar loops were found to be more in diabetics with reduced number of whorls. There was slight increase in arches as well except in left hand of diabetic females. Statistically significant results were obtained with ATD angle and oral micronuclei with diabetics having higher values. There was no significant association found between diabetes and blood groups. Conclusion: A panel of biomarkers which are simple, economical and rapid improves the screening surveillance of diabetes and act as an additional diagnostic tool. Micronuclei and ATD angle in the present study exhibited significant results and might be possible components of the panel. Mass screening of high risk individuals at community level can be achieved using a kit with the biomarkers. To validate the relation of blood groups to diabetes further evaluation over larger population is needed.

Keywords

• biomarker
• oral cytosmears
• palmar prints
• papanicolaou stain