title: Ear lobe crease: a marker of coronary artery disease?
abstract: The ear lobe crease (ELC) has been defined as a deep wrinkle that extends backwards from the tragus to the auricle. It has been proposed that ELC is a predictor of coronary artery disease (CAD). In this review, we consider the possible association between ELC and CAD. Our aim is to systematically address all the relevant evidence in this field. There are many studies that support an association between ELC and CAD. However, other studies did not find such an association. A recent meta-analysis supports the hypothesis that ELC could be a marker of CAD. However, several limitations raise doubts as to whether we should accept this link.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece; Department of Clinical Biochemistry (Vascular Disease Prevention Clinics), Royal Free London Foundation Trust, Pond Street, London, UK.
authors.forename: Aris P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Agouridis
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Moses S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Elisaf
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry (Vascular Disease Prevention Clinics), Royal Free London Foundation Trust, Pond Street, London, UK.
authors.forename: Devaki R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry (Vascular Disease Prevention Clinics), Royal Free Hospital Campus, University College London Medical School, University College London (UCL), London, UK.
authors.forename: Dimitri P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Mikhailidis
keywords: Frank's sign; coronary artery disease; ear lobe crease