Detecting genetically high risk individually for asthma

The dermatoglyphics is an important tool in the diagnosis of several genetic diseases. The present study is related to establish a correlation between dermatoglyphics and asthma. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the small airways of the lung. Asthma is a complex and heterogenous disease which involves different genetic and environmental factors. The fingerprints of thirty one asthma patients were compared with thirty one control cases. The prints of both hands were taken by rolling finger method with the application of kajal as it is a high source of carbon. In Asthma patients, the percentage of loops was high in all digits except IVth digit with 46.77%. The whorl of only IVth digit (Ring finger) asthma patients was significantly high with 53.22% with respect to control. The arches of I, II, III and Vth digit of patients was high where as the IVth digit shows no significant change. Thus the various dermatoglyphics parameters represent a non-invasive genetic marker help in the early diagnosis of asthma.