Gender Related Differences in the Possible Effect of Simian Crease on Alexithymia Scores in University Students
Author(s): Abdullah Demir and Senol Dane*
Abstract
Background: The simian crease is a single line on the palm. Normal healthy people can have it on their one or both palms, but it can be seen in persons with different pathologies such as Down’s syndrome, leukemia, Alzheimer’s disease, and some behavioral problems.
Methods: Fifty-seven Nigerian university students participated to the study. Participants were 38 men and 19 women who were 18-24 years of age. To get their alexithymia scores were used the Toronto Alexithymia Scale.
Results: There were no simian crease status-related statistically significant differences in alexithymia scores in the total sample, in male and in female subjects. However, there were statistically significant gender-related differences in total sample (t=2.128, p=0.038) and in subjects with simian crease (t=2.551, p=0.016), but not in subjects without simian crease.
Discussion: Gender related differences in the possible effect of simian crease on alexithymia scores in university students in the present study, the increased alexithymia scores in women compared to men in the normal population suggest that simian crease may be an important congenital or genetic factor in the pathogenesis of some psychologic abnormalities including depression and alexithymia, especially in women.
Conclusion: Therefore, the simian crease status can be taken into consideration in the diagnosis and clinical follow-up of alexithymia, especially in women