Study of ATD Angle, Finger Ridge Count in Pulmonar Tuberculosis Patients.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To determine whether the Dermatoglyphics parameters in Pulmonary tuberculosis patients (sputum smear positive cases) and normal healthy controls were differ or not. Materials and Methods: In present study 100 cases (77 males and 23 females) of Pulmonary tuberculosis (sputum smear positive) in the age group of 18 to 70 were collected and studied for Dermatoglyphics parameters such as ‘ATD’ angle, total and absolute finger ridge counts. These parameters of cases were compared to those of 100 unrelated healthy subjects (controls) and analyzed for statistical significance. Results and conclusion: In present study we observed decrease ‘ATD’ angle in both hands of male and female cases as compared to controls that difference was statistically highly significant. There were no statistically significant difference observed in total finger ridge count (TFRC) and absolute finger ridge count (AFRC) of cases compared to controls. Dermatoglyphics can be used for screening tool for Pulmonary tuberculosis contacts for genetic susceptibility to disease as a cost effective, noninvasive harmless technique.