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Association between ear creases and peripheral arterial disease
Paulo Müller Ramos1, Juliana Hammoud Gumieiro, Hélio Amante Miot
1São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil. dermato.paulo@gmail.com
Ear creases are linked to peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a condition affecting lower limb circulation. This study found a higher prevalence of ear creases in PAD patients, suggesting they may serve as a visible risk indicator.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Dermatology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a serious atherosclerosis complication impacting lower limb circulation and cardiovascular health.
- Ear creases, specifically diagonal lobular and anterior tragal, have been linked to coronary artery disease but not PAD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of ear creases in patients with lower limb PAD.
- To compare ear crease prevalence in PAD patients versus those without atherosclerotic disease.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involved 60 male PAD patients and 60 age/gender-matched controls.
- Conditional logistic regression adjusted for atherosclerosis risk factors.
Main Results:
- Ear creases were more prevalent in PAD patients (73% vs. 25% for diagonal, 80% vs. 43% for anterior tragal).
- These associations remained statistically significant after adjusting for risk factors (OR=8.1 and 4.1).
Conclusions:
- Ear creases show an independent association with peripheral arterial disease.
- The presence of ear creases may aid in identifying individuals at risk for PAD.
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