Dermatoglyphic Assessment of atd Angle Alterations in Vitiligo: A CaseControl Study

Background: Dermatoglyphics reflects genetically determined epidermal ridge patterns established during early fetal life and remains unaltered thereafter. Vitiligo, a depigmenting disorder characterized by selective melanocyte loss, is believed to have a multifactorial etiology with a significant genetic component. The atd angle, formed by the digital triradii ‘a’ and ‘d’ and the axial triradius ‘t’, serves as an important quantitative palmar parameter indicative of developmental variations. Objective: To evaluate alterations in the atd angle in individuals with vitiligo and to compare these findings with age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Methods: A case–control study was conducted involving clinically diagnosed vitiligo patients and healthy controls from the same institution. Palmar dermatoglyphic prints were obtained using the standardized ink method described by Cummins and Midlo. The atd angle was measured bilaterally using established anatomical landmarks. Statistical analysis was performed to compare mean values between cases and controls. Results: The mean atd angle was found to be increased in both male and female vitiligo patients on the right and left palms compared with controls, although the differences did not reach statistical significance in all parameters. Conclusion: The observed tendency toward increased atd angles in vitiligo supports the hypothesis of an underlying developmental and genetic predisposition. Dermatoglyphic assessment of the atd angle represents a simple, noninvasive, and cost-effective adjunct tool for studying genetic susceptibility in vitiligo.