A contribution to genetic etiology of complex regional pain syndrome type I (algodystropy syndrome) based on quantitative analysis of digitopalmar dermatoglyphics in sixty men.

The patterns of the ridges of the skin of the fingers and palms were determined in sixty men with complex regional pain syndrome (type I) as a measure of disease prevention. The study included 25 dermatoglyphic traits: number of epidermal ridges on all ten fingers; their sum for five and ten fingers; four traits on both palms, i.e. between a-b, b-c and c-d triradii; atd angles: and their bilateral sum. The data obtained were compared with those recorded in a control group of 200 pairs of imprints of phenotipycally healthy male adults from the Zagreb area. Statistically significant difference from control values were found in 12 dermatoglyphic variables, including an increased sum of ridges on nine fingers (except for left second finger pad), and total sum for five and ten fingers. These findings suggested the polygenic system responsible for development of dermatoglyphics to be identical with some polygenic loci for the onset of algodystrophy syndrome, which might prove useful in disease prevention (e.g., taking fingerprints following a trauma and before rehabilitation), and to facilitate identification of risk groups, and thus the treatment for this longterm and yet obscure syndrome.