Zeitschrift für Vaskulitis

Background: Fingerprint patterns are roughly classified into 3 types loop, whorl, and arch. I noticed in the previous study that the fingerprint ridge distribution is closely related to the vein distribution under the fingertip. Therefore, in this study, I intended to prove the relationship between the deviation of fingerprint patterns and the changes/fluctuation of factors relating to vascular formation.

Methods: The subcutaneous vascular distributions of each fingerprint type were observed using a monitoring device, comprising an IR-CCD camera and a near-infrared LED lighting system. By reviewing the literature to date regarding the dermatoglyphic ridge configurations and the vascular factor abnormality of individuals with various diseases, diseases were classified into four groups: ulnar-loop type deviations, whorl type deviations, whorl and arch type deviations, and arch type deviations.

Results: There was a close relationship between the fingerprint type and the subcutaneous vascular distributions. The four groups of fingerprint type deviations were associated with abnormalities of VEGF, EPO, TNF- α, and PDGF/PDGFR vascular factors, respectively.

Conclusions: I propose that the shape of the fingerprint is closely related to the subcutaneous vein distribution andthe fingerprint type deviations are related to vascular factor abnormalities.