Background and Objectives: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common endocrine disorders affecting almost 6% of the world’s population. The global prevalence of diabetes mellitus is rapidly increasing as a result of population ageing, urbanization and associated lifestyle changes. The present study was to identify patterns of dermal ridges on finger tips and palms in Diabetics and non Diabetics which will be helpful in predicting the onset of Diabetes Mellitus in early detection programme. Source of data: The present study was carried out on 80 Diabetic patients in S.S. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Davangere which was compared with 80 normal healthy individuals. Method: The palm prints and finger prints of patients and controls were taken by INK Method as described by CUMMINS and MIDLO. The Parameters like arches, loops, whorls, patterns in interdigital areas and ‘atd’ angle in both hands were noted. Results: Arch patterns were significantly reduced in the finger tips of diabetics, with no significant difference in the mean counts of ulnar & radial loops between diabetics & controls. However whorl pattern was found to be significantly decreased in Diabetics when compared to controls. The frequency of patterns in interdigital areas I3 was increased where as decreased in I2 & I5 in diabetics significantly. The atd angle was increased in diabetics when compared to controls which were statistically insignificant.

Keywords: Dermatoglyphics; Diabetes Mellitus; Arches; Whorls; Loops; atd Angle.