The diagonal ear-lobe crease. As sign of some diseases.
OBJECTIVE
The present study dealt with the question of possible association between the diagonal ear lobe crease (ELC) and diabetes mellitus, hypertension, myocardial infarction, coronary artery diseases.


METHODS
The present study was carried out as a field study with the contributions of 6 Primary Health Care Centers in Golbasi, Education and Research Area, Ankara, Turkey in May 2003 June 2003 and includes 3722 individuals (1250 males and 2472 females) of different age groups. From each individual, ELC was graded and a thorough medical history was taken.


RESULTS
Ear lobe creases were found more in males and there was a statistically significant positive association between ELC and these diseases in both sexes.


CONCLUSIONS
It was thus thought that ELC could well be included as a valuable sign in diagnosing and screening such diseases.
Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Gazi University, Besevler 06500, Ankara, Turkey. meltemb@gazi.edu.tr
Meltem
M
Bahcelioglu
Ali F
AF
Isik
Birol
B
Demirel
Ender
E
Senol
Sefer
S
Aycan
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004431:Ear, External / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D015415:Biomarkers