[The diagonal ear lobe crease for evaluating coronary risk]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Dermatology
• Medical Diagnostics

Context:

• The diagonal earlobe crease (ELC) is a physical sign sometimes associated with coronary heart disease (CHD).
• Previous research on the predictive value of ELC for CHD has yielded controversial results.
• The relationship between ELC and hemodynamically relevant CHD requires further investigation.

Purpose:

• To prospectively investigate the correlation between the presence of an earlobe crease (ELC) and hemodynamically relevant coronary heart disease (CHD).
• To assess the association of ELC with various risk factors and disease severity (one-vessel, two-vessel, or multi-vessel disease).

Summary:

• A prospective study of 670 patients undergoing coronary angiography found no significant difference in the prevalence of hemodynamically relevant CHD (coronary diameter stenosis > 70%) between patients with and without an ELC.
• ELC was found to be significantly associated with age, overweight (BMI > 25 kg/m2), and hyperuricemia (> 7.0 mg%).
• ELC was not influenced by sex or other common coronary risk factors including smoking, diabetes, hypercholesterinemia, hyperlipoidemia, physical inactivity, and family history of CHD.

Impact:

• This study suggests that the earlobe crease, while associated with age and overweight, is not a reliable predictor of hemodynamically relevant coronary heart disease.
• Findings indicate that ELC should not be used as a primary diagnostic marker for significant CHD.
• The study reinforces the importance of established risk factors like smoking and diabetes in predicting CHD severity.