Edston Erik
Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Division of Forensic Medicine, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden.
Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2006 Jun;27(2):129-33. doi: 10.1097/01.paf.0000221067.73173.d7.
The majority of previous studies have demonstrated a correlation between diagonal earlobe creases (ELC) and coronary artery disease (CAD). In this study of 520 forensic autopsy cases, the earlobes were studied and photographed before autopsy, and the existence of a diagonal ELC was noted in 55%. The cause of death, the degree of coronary atherosclerosis, aortosclerosis, and cerebrosclerosis, as well as heart, kidney, and spleen weights, were noted in each case. The body mass index (BMI), thickness of abdominal fat, baldness, and excessive hair in the meatus externa of the external ears were also assessed. Nonparametric methods were used in the statistical calculations. It was found that ELC was strongly correlated with CAD in both men and women (P < 0.0001) but with sudden cardiac death (SCD) only in men (P < 0.04). The sensitivity of the ELC sign was 75% and the positive predictive value (ppv) was 68%. In individuals below 40 years, the ppv was as high as 80%. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, ELC was found to be the strongest independent risk factor for CAD and SCD apart from age and BMI (both genders), as well as baldness and hair in the meatus externa (in males). It is concluded that in a patient population similar to that in the present study the ELC sign could be especially useful in screening for premature CAD in younger individuals.
此前的大多数研究都表明，耳垂斜线纹（ELC）与冠状动脉疾病（CAD）之间存在关联。在这项对520例法医尸检病例的研究中，在尸检前对耳垂进行了检查并拍照，发现55%的病例存在耳垂斜线纹。记录了每例病例的死因、冠状动脉粥样硬化、主动脉硬化和脑动脉硬化的程度，以及心脏、肾脏和脾脏的重量。还评估了体重指数（BMI）、腹部脂肪厚度、脱发情况以及外耳道过多毛发的情况。统计计算采用非参数方法。结果发现，耳垂斜线纹在男性和女性中均与冠状动脉疾病密切相关（P < 0.0001），但仅在男性中与心源性猝死（SCD）相关（P < 0.04）。耳垂斜线纹体征的敏感性为75%，阳性预测值（ppv）为68%。在40岁以下的个体中，阳性预测值高达80%。通过多元逻辑回归分析发现，除年龄和BMI（男女皆有）以及脱发和外耳道毛发（男性）外，耳垂斜线纹是冠状动脉疾病和心源性猝死最强的独立危险因素。结论是，在与本研究类似的患者群体中，耳垂斜线纹体征在筛查年轻个体的早发性冠状动脉疾病方面可能特别有用。
