Diagonal ear lobe crease: A premonitory diagnostic sign of impeding ischemic heart disease
Himmatrao Saluba Bawaskar1, Parag Himmatrao Bawaskar2, Pramodini Himmatrao Bawaskar1
1Bawaskar Hospital and Clinical Research Center, Raigad, Maharashtra, India.
Insights
The diagonal ear lobe crease (DELC) is a simple indicator of high risk for ischemic heart disease (IHD). This study found a high incidence of DELC in rural Indian patients with IHD, suggesting its utility in early detection.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
- Dermatology
Background:
- Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a significant health concern in India.
- Family physicians are often the first point of contact for patients experiencing chest pain.
- Sudden cardiac death can be the initial and sole manifestation of IHD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence of IHD in conjunction with the diagonal ear lobe crease (DELC) in a rural Indian population.
- To assess DELC as a potential surrogate marker for IHD risk.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 888 patients presenting with chest pain to a general physician.
- Investigation for the presence of DELC and correlation with risk factors like hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus (DM), BMI, baldness, and tobacco use.
Main Results:
- Out of 888 patients, 508 (57.2%) had DELC, and 486 of these (95%) had IHD.
- Hypertension was present in 72.6% of patients.
- A significant association was found between BMI > 25 in males over 50 and IHD risk (OR 2.08, P=0.003).
Conclusions:
- The presence of DELC is a simple clinical sign that can be easily observed by family physicians.
- DELC can aid in identifying high-risk individuals for IHD, prompting further investigation.
- DELC serves as a valuable, easily identifiable marker for assessing IHD risk, even in the absence of other known risk factors.
Introduction:
In India, significant number of individuals suffers from ischemic heart disease (IHD). Majority of chest pain victim initially report to his family physician. At times, sudden death is the first and last manifestation of IHD. Doctors are aware of various risk factors for IHD. The diagonal ear lobe crease (DELC) has been characterized in medical literature as a surrogate marker which can be easily identified as high-risk case for impending IHD. We report here the incidence of IHD accompanied with DELC in rural population.
Patients And Methods:
Eight hindered and eighty eight patients attended to general physician Mahad during January 2012 to December 2015 with complaints of chest pain were investigated for presence of DELC. Presence of DELC was correlated to varies risk factors including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus (DM), body mass index (BMI), occipital baldness, and tobacco consumption.
Results:
Out of patients studied, 645 (72.6%) had hypertension, 508 (57.2%) had DELC, of these 486 (95%) suffered from IHD, 246 (48%) had DM, 246 (48%) had occipital baldness, and 325 (64%) had hyperlipidemia. Significant association between BMI > 25+ in male >50 years old with odd ratio 2.08 (95% CI: 1.27-3.39; P = 0.003).
Interpretation:
Presence of DELC with or without risk factors is a simple clinical observation easily noted during examination by family physician to investigate and to rule out IHD.
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