Volume : VI, Issue : I, January - 2016

Diagonal Ear lobe crease as a marker of Coronary Artery Disease

Dr. T Vijaya Sagar, Dr. J. Pranu Chakravarthy

Abstract :

Introduction: Extravascular markers of coronary artery disease (CAD) are important in clinical evaluation of patients. Diagonal ear lobe crease (DELC) or Frank’s sign is one such indicator. This study has attempted to evaluate the association of ear lobe crease and ear canal hair with coronary artery disease in Maharashtrian subjects. Methodology: A total of 273 subjects of Maharashtrian origin of both sexes from age 11 to 70 years were considered. The subjects were examined for presence of diagonal ear lobe crease. The crease was defined as complete or incomplete, single or double, unilateral or bilateral, horizontal vertical or diagonal crease in ear lobe. Both auricles were examined for presence of DELC under good illumination and were photographed. The external ear canal was examined for ear canal hair (ECH). Results: Approximately 90% of patients of coronary artery disease showed the diagonal ear lobe crease. 87 % of Patients of coronary artery disease in younger age group of 30–49 years showed a prominent ear lobe crease . While 90% of patients in the age group 50 years and above displayed the ear lobe crease, almost 36% of apparently healthy population in this age group also displayed the ear lobe crease. Unlike other studies, the present study could not establish a definite relation between Diagonal ear lobe crease in conjunction with Ear canal hair as more sensitive indicators of underlying coronary artery Disease. Conclusion: DELC is identified as a definite extravascular marker of CAD in Maharashtrian subjects, especially in the age group of 30–49 years. The presence of DELC in other conditions like Hypertension and Diabetis mellitus seems to indicate that the underlying pathology could be one involving blood vessels in general and not coronary blood vessels alone.

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Article: Download PDF   DOI : 10.36106/ijar  

Cite This Article:

Dr. T Vijaya Sagar, Dr. J. Pranu Chakravarthy Diagonal Ear Lobe Crease as a Marker of Coronary Artery Disease Indian Journal of Applied Research, Vol.6, Issue : 1 January 2016

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