Cardiovascular Disease, Smoking ( Cigarette)
Conditions
Keywords
Frank's sign, smoking, cardiovascular disease
Brief summary
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.
Interventions
OTHERTo obtain bilateral ear photographs
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
OTHERTo take a medical history
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)
Sponsors
Samsun University
Study design
Observational model
OTHER
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
40 Years to 59 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Individuals aged 40-59 years who presented to the relevant outpatient clinics were included in the study.
Exclusion criteria
* The
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Analysis of the relationship between DELC (diagonal earlobe crease) and smoking consumption | maximum duration: 10 minutes | 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. |
| Association between smoking and DELC stage in patients with unilateral and bilateral DELC | maximum duration: 10 minutes | 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. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Relationship between the participants' chronic diseases, medication use, family history, and the presence of DELC (diagonal earlobe crease) | maximum duration: 10 minutes | 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. |
| Analysis of the relationship between DELC and the presence of cardiac/noncardiac diseases and medication use | maximum duration: 10 minutes | 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. |
| Demographic characteristics of the participants | maximum duration: 10 minutes | Demographic characteristics like sex, marital status and smoking status of the participants were evaluated |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Contacts
STUDY_DIRECTOROnur Öztürk
Amasya University
Outcome results
None listed