Anterior Tragal Crease Is Associated With Atherosclerosis: A Study Evaluating Carotid Artery Intima-Media Thickness.
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| Abstract |
The utility of the ear crease sign, anterior tragal crease (ATC), as a marker of atherosclerosis is yet to be established. The intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery (IMT-CCA) has been used as a noninvasive surrogate marker for atherosclerosis. History of traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis was obtained from 147 volunteers; ear examination was also performed and venous blood was drawn for laboratory analysis. The volunteers then underwent an ultrasonography measurement of the IMT-CCA. In univariate analysis, presence of ATC, age, underlying hypertension, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, cigarette smoking, low-density lipoprotein, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were significantly associated with the IMT-CCA. Further multivariate analysis confirmed a significant association between the presence of ATC and IMT-CCA, when adjusted for other factors (adjusted βATC = .010, 95% confidence interval: 0.0021-0.019). Anterior tragal crease is a potential clinical sign that can predict atherosclerosis. The sign is easily recognizable and may help health-care professionals to identify those at risk of atherosclerosis, especially in people with no clinical signs of the disease.
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| Authors | Pawinee Rerknimitr, Korbkarn Pongpairoj, Chanat Kumtornrat, Ratchathorn Panchaprateep, Cameron P Hurst, Aurauma Chutinet, Pravit Asawanonda, Nijasri C Suwanwela |
| Journal | Angiology (Angiology) Vol. 68 Issue 8 Pg. 683-687 (Sep 2017) ISSN: 1940-1574 [Electronic] United States |
| PMID | 28056529 (Publication Type: Journal Article) |
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