Open AccessStudy of the prevalence of Frank’s sign in a general population
Author(s) -
Rubén David dos Reis Zuniga,
Izadora Fonseca Zaiden Soares,
Roseli Corazzini,
Alzira Alves de Siqueira Carvalho
Publication year - 2021
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Conference proceedings
DOI - 10.5327/1516-3180.409
Subject(s) - medicine , sign (mathematics) , cross sectional study , population , earlobe , observational study , risk factor , epidemiology , demography , gerontology , surgery , pathology , mathematical analysis , mathematics , environmental health , sociology
Background: Frank’s sign is a diagonal crease in the earlobe that extends from the tragus to the inferior-posterior auricle’s edge. Described as a predictor of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), it was considered an independent cardiovascular risk factor (CRF) and associated with cerebrovascular events and cognitive impairment (CI). Objectives: To assess the prevalence of Frank’s sign in a general population aged 60 years or older regardless of the presence of CRFs and to relate the presence of this sign with epidemiological and clinical aspects. Design and setting: This is an analytical, observational and cross- sectional study accomplished in ABC Region and in Itapecerica da Serra (Greater São Paulo). Methods: 500 individuals aged 60 years or older randomly recruited had their ears photographed, responded to either Mini Mental State Examination or Montreal Cognitive Assessment depending on education achievement. Results: 57% were women; 57% were white, 39% black and 4% asian; 64% had the sign; Frank’s sign was associated with dyslipidemia and almost with hypertension, but not with cardiovascular events or CI. Conclusions: 1. Frank’s sign was more prevalent in older people, in the white population and, for the first time, in women. 2. There is a pattern in the sign prevalence in Greater São Paulo, which differs from the international one. 3. Frank’s sign seems to be a marker for CV risk, but not for previous CV events. 4. There was no association between Frank’s sign and CI. 5. Prospective studies could assure whether this sign is a marker for CVDs in this population.