SMOKING AND PRESENCE OF FRANK'S SIGN

Samsun University404 enrolled

Overview

In this study, the effect of cigarette smoking-one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases-on the development of Frank's sign (DELC) was investigated. Rather than smoking status alone, cumulative smoking exposure was considered to cause vascular damage and thereby influence the formation of DELC. Consequently, these findings may enable family physicians and other clinicians to approach patients rapidly and non-invasively within the framework of preventive medicine.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

404

Conditions

Smoking ( Cigarette)Cardiovascular Disease

Interventions

To obtain bilateral ear photographsOTHER

Digital photographs obtained from both ears in a well-lit environment were evaluated by the study researchers. The presence of Frank's sign and its staging according to the Modified Patel-Lopez classification were confirmed by a positive assessment from at least two researchers

To take a medical historyOTHER

The participants' sociodemographic data, histories of chronic diseases, medication use, family histories, and smoking habits were recorded by the researchers via face-to-face interviews (average duration: 5 min)

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 40 YearsMax age: 59 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Individuals aged 40-59 years who presented to the relevant outpatient clinics were included in the study. Exclusion Criteria: * The exclusion criteria included being outside the specified age range, the presence of an earring or piercing on the earlobe, a history of trauma affecting the integrity of the ear, the presence of soft tissue diseases, or ear malformations.

Locations (1)

Samsun University Training and Research Hospital (Samsun City Hospital)

Samsun, Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Analysis of the relationship between DELC (diagonal earlobe crease) and smoking consumption

The presence of DELC as unilateral, bilateral, or absent was evaluated with respect to smoking status categorized as current, non-smoker, or former. Categorical variables were presented as counts and percentages. Comparisons between groups were performed using the chi-square test. Differences with p-values \< 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Time frame: maximum duration: 10 minutes

Association between smoking and DELC stage in patients with unilateral and bilateral DELC

The presence of unilateral and bilateral DELC in the right and/or left ear was assessed across smoking status groups defined as current, non-smoker, and former. Categorical variables were presented as counts and percentages. Comparisons between groups were performed using the chi-square test. Differences with p-values \< 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Time frame: maximum duration: 10 minutes

Secondary Outcomes

Relationship between the participants' chronic diseases, medication use, family history, and the presence of DELC (diagonal earlobe crease)

The presence of chronic diseases (hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases), obesity, history of angiography, medication use, and family history of cardiovascular diseases and premature death was evaluated in individuals with unilateral and bilateral DELC as well as in those without DELC (absent). Categorical variables were presented as counts and percentages. Comparisons between groups were performed using the chi-square test. Differences with p-values \< 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Time frame: maximum duration: 10 minutes

Analysis of the relationship between DELC and the presence of cardiac/noncardiac diseases and medication use

Diseases and medications were categorized as cardiac and non-cardiac. In individuals with unilateral and bilateral DELC, as well as in those without DELC (absent), the presence of cardiac and non-cardiac diseases was first evaluated, followed by the presence of cardiac and non-cardiac medication use. Categorical variables were presented as counts and percentages. Comparisons between groups were performed using the chi-square test. Differences with p-values \< 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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