Indian Journal of Clinical Anatomy and Physiology

Page: 94-100

Dermatoglyphics is the study of epidermal ridges on volar aspect of hands and feet forming a variety of pattern configurations. It encompasses assessment and classification of fingerprint patterns for identification. Dermatoglyphic patterns in digital and palmar regions are associated with various diseases, especially of genetic origin, and have been reported by multiple researchers. Recently, type II diabetes cases has been on the rise in most African countries due to lifestyle changes. This review compared fingerprint patterns among patients diagnosed with type II Diabetes Mellitus residing in Africa. A systematic Comprehensive review using Whittemore and Knafl method involving a five-stage process of problem identification, literature search, data evaluation, data analysis, and presentation of findings was employed. Exploration was conducted across five databases (Medline, Pubmed, Scopus, Google Scholar and Science Direct) which aimed to detect related papers published between January 2019 to March 2025. PRISMA framework was used to identify and collate a total of 5/268 (1.87) related articles that were included in the study. They were summarized for similarities and different variables analyzed. This review concluded that, although no specific fingerprint pattern can be definitively recognized as a marker for diabetes, ulnar and radial loops displayed uncertain trends that warrant further investigation. It supports, that dermatoglyphics, together with genetic and clinical data, might aid as an additional non-invasive screening tool, thus reducing the morbidity and mortality related to diabetes. There is need for further studies to be done on larger sample size in different populations so as to validate this findings.