Analysis of the Qualitative and Quantitative Dermatoglyphic Traits in Schizophrenia Patients

In a psychiatric diagnosis, Schizophrenia [schizein (“to split”) and phren-(“mind”)] is a mental illness. The neurodevelopment theory of the etiology of schizophrenia, suggest either genetically or epigenetically controlled faulty embryonic development of structures of ectoderm origin like brain and skin. This may disturb neurodevelopment that in turn may cause these subjects to be at increased risk for the development of schizophrenia and related disorders. Dermatoglyphics is used as a diagnostic aid in a number of diseases that have a strong hereditary basis. In the present work, we studied the frequencies of various types of skin ridges found on the digits, palms in schizophrenic patients. The present study aimed to evaluate the association of dermatoglyphic patterns with different blood groups and also to evaluate the role of dermatoglyphics in early detection of prone individuals and genetic predisposition of disease. Studies were conducted in 100 patients of schizophrenia and various dermatoglyphics parameters such as finger print pattern and exits of main lines were calculated. These parameters of study group were compared to controls. Qualitative analysis has shown statistically significant difference among two groups. It was observed that in blood group A the Arche pattern in both hands were pre-dominant when compared those of controls and the difference was highly significant (P< 0.05) while loop ulnar pattern was highly significant (P<0.001). Loop ulnar pattern was highly significant (P<0.001) in left hand of blood group AB. The main line index in the study group when compared to controls observed the difference.