Is reduced dermatoglyphic a-b ridge count a reliable marker of developmental impairment in schizophrenia?
BACKGROUND
Finger and hand prints are formed during the late first and second trimester of foetal development, after which they remain unchanged. Their expression may be influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Some studies have suggested that a reduced total finger ridge count (TFRC) and, in particular, a reduce total a-b ridge count (TABRC), may be associated with schizophrenia.


OBJECTIVE
To study these two variables in a large, ethnically homogenous sample and to compare our findings with those of other recent studies.


METHODS
Finger and hand prints of 150 people with DSM-III-R schizophrenia were compared with those of 92 healthy controls.


RESULTS
Patients had a reduced mean TABRC (P = 0.03) compared with controls. There was a significant (P=0.02) linear trend for lower TABRC and increasing incidence of schizophrenia (ORlineartrend = 1.3; 95%CI1.1-1.7), implying a continuous increase in the risk for schizophrenia with reduction in TABRC. No significant difference between groups was observed for TFRC.


CONCLUSIONS
These results provide further evidence that dermatoglyphic abnormalities exist in at least some patients with schizophrenia and that the a-b ridge count may be a marker of disruption, probably environmental, that occurs when the developing brain may also be particularly vulnerable to such insult. These findings support the concept that some cases of schizophrenia may be due to adverse intrauterine events.
Fearon
P
P
St. John of God Hospital Adult Psychiatric Services, Newtownpark Avenue, Blackrock, County Dublin, Ireland.
Lane
A
A
Airie
M
M
Scannell
J
J
McGowan
A
A
Byrne
M
M
Cannon
M
M
Cotter
D
D
Murphy
P
P
Cassidy
B
B
Waddington
J
J
Larkin
C
C
O'Callaghan
E
E
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D003878:Dermatoglyphics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009660:Northern Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*
D015415:Biomarkers