The relationship between dermatoglypic pattern of right thumb and physical health of medical students: A cross-sectional study

Background: Dermatoglyphics serve as a tool to describe and predict occurrences of certain diseases. Present study was conducted to assess the relationship between right thumbprint, general health problems and health practices among medical students. Materials and methods: A total of 143 undergraduate medical students, 54 males, and 89 females, participated in the study. Validated questionnaires were used, and the right thumb impression from the students was collected. The fingerprints were grouped, and was correlated to the health problems faced by the students. Results: Most common fingerprint pattern found among the students was the whorl pattern (n=55), followed by the radial loop, arch and ulnar loop. Majority of students with ulnar loop had dental problems (40%); they were also more prone to allergies (75%), used spectacles or contact lens (70%). Students faced hair fall problem and the percentage was high among the students with radial loop and arch pattern. Students with loop patterns exercised often, and this percentage was less among the other students. Conclusion: Percentage occurrence of common health problems like allergies, hair fall, acne and usage of spectacles was high among the students with loop pattern mainly ulnar loop.