Do biometric parameters of the hand differentiate schizophrenia from other psychiatric disorders? A comparative evaluation using three mental health modules. Issue 3 (30th August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zvi Shamir, Eyal; Levy, Anat; Morris Cassan, Stanley; Lifshitz, Tova; Shefler, Gaby; Tarrasch, Ricardo
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry research. Volume 228:Issue 3(2015)
• Page Start: 425
• Page End: 430
• Publication Date: 2015-08-30
• Subjects: Biological markers -- Minor physical anomalies -- Dermatoglyphics -- Diagnosis; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- periodicals; Psychiatrie -- Périodiques; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2015.06.020
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-1781

Abstract

Abstract: The link between schizophrenia and anomalies in the distal upper limb is well documented. Preliminary studies have identified a number of biometric parameters of the hand by which schizophrenics can be distinguished from matched controls. The current study seeks to determine whether patients with schizophrenia can be singled out from a disparate group of other mental disorders by using the same parameters. We studied three groups, totaling 134 men: 51 diagnosed with schizophrenia, 29 with anxiety and mood disorders, and 54 comprising a control group. Seven parameters were studied: the proximal interphalangeal joint, the eponychia of the middle and ring digits, two dermatoglyphic features, and two constitutional factors. Examiners evaluated the parameters based on photographs and prints. An initial Mann Whitney comparison showed no significant difference between the control group and those identified with anxiety and mood disorders. We therefore accounted for them as a single group. In a discriminant analysis, an overall accuracy of 78.4% was established with a sensitivity of 80.4% (schizophrenics identified correctly) and a specificity of 77.1% (controls identified correctly). These results suggest that the biometric parameters employed may be useful in identifying patients with schizophrenia from a disparate group of other mental disorders. Highlights: We examine the utility of biometric markers in identifying schizophrenia. 51 Schizophrenics, 29 with anxiety/mood disorders, and 54 controls were studied. 3 examiners delivered blinded evaluations of photographs and prints. Overall accuracy was 78.4%, sensitivity 80.4%, and specificity 77.1%. Biometric markers singled out schizophrenic patients from the others.