Dermatoglyphics in patients with oral potentially malignant diseases and oral cancer

Aim: To study and compare the dermatoglyphic and palmar prints of subjects without tobacco chewing/smoking habit, with tobacco chewing/smoking habits without lesions, with potentially malignant diseases, and with oral cancer. Material and Methods: A comparative preliminary study was conducted in 60 subjects who visited Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Navodaya Dental College and Hospital, Raichur, Karnataka, India. The subjects were divided into four groups; 15 healthy controls (Group A), 15 subjects with tobacco habits and without associated lesions (Group B), 15 subjects with potentially malignant diseases (Group C), and 15 subjects with oral cancer (Group D). Dermatoglyphic and palmar prints were obtained by standard India ink method. Prints were analyzed by single observer twice at an interval of 15 days. The data obtained was subjected to statistical test using SPSS software 19 version. Chi-square test was applied to compare the different patterns among groups, and weighted kappa test for intraobserver variability. Results: Among dermatoglyphic patterns, whorl pattern was increased by 60.66% in Group C and 46% in Group D. Oral cancer subjects showed significant decrease in mean accessory tri-radii digital angle (37.13°). Conclusion: Dermatoglyphics can aid as a screening tool for early detection of high-risk individuals with potentially malignant disorders and oral cancer