Digito-palmar Dermatoglyphics Patterns May Predict the Risk of Hypertension among Nigerians  

¹ Oluwarotimi Specialist and Diagnostic Centre, Akure / Cardiology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Federal Medical Centre, Owo.

² Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Akure. Ondo State.

³ Department of Human Anatomy, University of Portharcout, Nigeria.

^*Corresponding Author

Timothy Oluwarotimi Folorunso 

Oluwarotimi Specialist and Diagnostic Centre, Akure / Cardiology Unit

Department of Internal Medicine,Federal Medical Centre

Owo

Email: folorunsooluwarotimi@gmail.com

Tel:+234 8034106928

Abstract

Background: Dermatoglyphics is a very important tool used to recognize certain gene-related defects or diseases. Essential hypertension a disorder which has genetic influence and is defined as persistent high blood pressure not related to a single cause but reflecting the activity of various genetic and environmental factors, such that siblings of hypertensive parent or parents stand a higher likelihood of developing hypertension in later life.

Objectives: Comparing Digito-palmar dermatoglyphic patterns among hypertensive and normotensive Nigerians.

Methods: 400 hypertensive subjects were compared with 400 normotensive controls. All had qualitative digito-palmar dermatoglyphic patterns done.

Results: The study shows that essential hypertensive patients have significantly higher frequency of whorl patterns and a decrease frequency of loops and arches on both right and left fingertips than controls.

Conclusion: Whorl pattern of digito-palmar dermatoglyphic can be reliably used as a predictive tool for individuals who are at higher risk of developing essential hypertension and preventive measures can be targeted.

Keywords: Dermatoglyphics, Hypertension and Prevention

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