Quantitative analysis of digitopalmar dermatoglyphics in women with rheumatoid arthritis.

Quantitative analysis of digitopalmar ridge count was performed in 40 female patients with rheumatoid arthritis to assess the role of genetic factors. Twenty-two variables (ridge count on each of ten fingers, their sum on five and ten fingers, four traits on each palm, i.e. ridge count between a-b, b-c and c-d triradii, atd angles on two palms and their bilateral sum) were determined. The data obtained were compared with digitopalmar prints of 200 control group women. Statistically significant differences from the control group in terms of increased ridge count were found in nine variables, i.e. on the third, fourth and fifth finger bilaterally, and consequentially in the total ridge count on the fingers of the two hands and of both hands taken together. Dermatologyphics as one of the genetic methods could be used in the evaluation of the relative risk in family members with positive disease history.