A Study on the Prevalence of Palmar Crease Patterns among Ibibio and Ikwerre Adults, of Nigeria

Abstract

Palmar creases are permanent epidermal flexure lines on the hands that develop during early fetal life. These patterns, studied in dermatoglyphics, have applications in genetics, anthropology, and clinical diagnostics. While previous studies in Nigeria have linked palmar crease patterns to medical conditions, comparative analyses across different ethnic groups are limited. This study aimed to investigate and compare the prevalence of palmar crease patterns among adults from the Ibibio and Ikwerre ethnic groups in Southern Nigeria, and to assess the association between crease patterns in the right and left hands. A cross-sectional comparative design was employed involving 300 adults (150 Ibibio, 150 Ikwerre) selected via stratified random sampling. Palmar crease patterns were classified as normal palmar crease (NCP), Sydney line (SYD), or simian line (SIM). Both palms of each participant were photographed under standardised conditions, and demographic data were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23, with frequencies, percentages, and chi-square tests for associations. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. The NCP was the most prevalent pattern in both ethnic groups, followed by the SYD and SIM lines. Among Ibibio participants, 66.3% of females and 61.7% of males had NCP, while among Ikwerre participants, 57.9% of females and 48.6% of males exhibited NCP. Chi-square analysis revealed no significant association between palmar crease patterns in the right and left hands for any sex or ethnic group. Palmar crease patterns are largely symmetrical between the hands within individuals and show minor variations between ethnic groups and sexes. The findings highlight the predominance of the normal palmar crease and provide a comparative baseline for dermatoglyphic studies in Nigerian populations.