ABSTRACT
Depression is a pervasive mental health disorder characterized by persistent sadness and an inability to enjoy activities that were once enjoyable. This study compares the dermatoglyphic patterns of depressed patients with those of healthy, normal individuals in order to determine if dermatoglyphic patterns can be used as biomarkers for early diagnosis and prompt intervention of depression. A total of 100 depressive disorder patients of both sexes between the ages of 18 and 60 were selected for the study. Dermatoglyphic patterns of individual digits were analyzed using the "Ink and Paper" technique. The Whorl, Loop, and Arch patterns, as well as the AFRC, TFRC, and a-b ridge count, were examined using One-Way ANOVA significance and a Chi-Square test using SPSS 20.0. The results showed that the right hand in the depressive diseased group had decreased numbers of Whorls in the 2nd and 5th digits, and decreased numbers of Loops in all five digits. Similarly, decreased numbers of Whorls were found in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th digits of the left hand, as well as decreased Loops in the 4th digit. However, there were no changes in the Arches of either hand when compared to the control group. The AFRC and TFRC were significantly decreased (p<0.0001), but there was no significant decrease in the a-b ridge count in the depressive diseased group when compared to the control group. Dermatoglyphics, a noninvasive method, can serve as a screening indicator for depressive individuals, the appearance of the decreased count of whorls and loops parameters might be used as an exploratory sign.
