Frank's sign associated with the severity of ischemic heart disease in patients under 65 years old / Signo de Frank asociado con la gravedad de la cardiopatía isquémica en adultos de edad inferior o igual a 65 años

Background and objective Frank's sign is the diagonal ear fold which has been associated with ischemic heart disease. The objective of this work was to evaluate the relationship of Frank's sign with severity of ischemic heart disease in adults ≤ 65 years old in the northeast of Mexico. Patients and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in patients ≤ 65 years old who underwent coronary angiography consecutively over a period of 5 months in 2022. Severe coronary artery disease (CAD) was associated with Frank's sign and other common cardiovascular risks. To determine the association, bivariate and multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression that included variables with a value of p<0.05. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 22. Results We included 311 patients ≤ 65 years, of whom 80% were men. The median age was 57 years (range 28–65). Frank's sign was positive in 62% of the population. The main clinical characteristics in patients with Frank's sign were type 2 diabetes mellitus (55%), p=0.003, dyslipidemia (53%), p=0.026 and smoking (68%), p=0.002. In the multivariate analysis, the independent variables associated with severe CAD were Frank's Sign OR 3.26; 95% CI (1.98–5.38), p≤0.001, male gender OR 2.28; 95% CI (1.20–4.35), p=0.012, and dyslipidemia OR 1.81; 95% CI (1.11–2.97), p=0.017. Conclusions There is an independent association between Frank's sign with the presence of severe CAD in patients ≤ 65 years old, which may be useful for screening and prevention (AU)

Antecedentes y objetivo El signo de pliegue diagonal de la oreja o signo de Frank se ha asociado con cardiopatía isquémica. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la relación del signo de Frank con la gravedad de la cardiopatía isquémica en adultos≤65años en el noreste de México. Pacientes y métodos Se realizó un estudio transversal en pacientes ≤65años sometidos a coronariografía de manera consecutiva en un periodo de 5 meses en 2022. Se relacionó la enfermedad arterial coronaria (EAC) grave con el signo de Frank y los factores de riesgo cardiovascular tradicionales. Para determinar la asociación se realizó análisis bivariado y multivariado mediante regresión logística que incluyó las variables con valor de p<0,05. El análisis estadístico se realizó con el programa SPSS versión 22. Resultados Se incluyeron 311 pacientes≤65años, de los cuales el 80% fueron hombres. La mediana de edad fue 57 años (rango de 28-65 años). El 62% de los pacientes presentó el signo de Frank. Las principales características clínicas en pacientes con signo de Frank fueron diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (55%), p=0,003, dislipidemia (53%), p=0,026 y tabaquismo (68%), p=0,002. En el análisis multivariado las variables independientes asociadas a EAC grave fueron el signo de Frank (OR: 3,26; IC 95%: 1,98-5,38; p≤0,001), sexo masculino (OR: 2,28; IC 95%: 1,20-4,35; p=0,012) y dislipidemia (OR: 1,81; IC 95%: 1,11-2,97; p=0,017). Conclusiones Existe asociación independiente del signo de Frank con la presencia de EAC grave en pacientes≤65años, que puede ser útil para el cribado y la prevención (AU)

Frank's sign associated with the severity of ischemic heart disease in patients under 65 years old.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Frank's sign is the diagonal ear fold which has been associated with ischemic heart disease. The objective of this work was to evaluate the relationship of Frank's sign with severity of ischemic heart disease in adults ≤ 65 years old in the northeast of Mexico. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in patients ≤ 65 years old who underwent coronary angiography consecutively over a period of 5 months in 2022. Severe coronary artery disease (CAD) was associated with Frank's sign and other common cardiovascular risks. To determine the association, bivariate and multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression that included variables with a value of p<0.05. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 22. RESULTS: We included 311 patients ≤ 65 years, of whom 80% were men. The median age was 57 years (range 28-65). Frank's sign was positive in 62% of the population. The main clinical characteristics in patients with Frank's sign were type 2 diabetes mellitus (55%), p=0.003, dyslipidemia (53%), p=0.026 and smoking (68%), p=0.002. In the multivariate analysis, the independent variables associated with severe CAD were Frank's Sign OR 3.26; 95% CI (1.98-5.38), p≤0.001, male gender OR 2.28; 95% CI (1.20-4.35), p=0.012, and dyslipidemia OR 1.81; 95% CI (1.11-2.97), p=0.017. CONCLUSIONS: There is an independent association between Frank's sign with the presence of severe CAD in patients ≤ 65 years old, which may be useful for screening and prevention.