Evaluation of 2D:4D digit ratio and diagonal earlobe crease as markers of coronary artery disease

Introduction Coronary artery disease (CAD) is increasing in prevalence worldwide. In this regard, the extravascular markers in evaluating atherosclerosis is of importance in clinical evaluation . Methodology After informed consent from fifty CAD patients (confirmed from coronary angiographic studies) were recruited into the study. Similar number of age and sex matched controls without CAD were selected. We evaluated digit ratio (2D:4D) and diagonal ear lobe crease (DELC) in patients and compared with healthy individuals. Measurement of digit ratio was by photographic method. Ear lobe of all patients were photographed and evaluated for presence of diagonal ear lobe crease. Results We found that 2D:4D ratios in males with CAD are higher than the control group. There were no such differences in females. 2D:4D ratios as usual sexually dimorphic. Coden’s d calculation revealed that 84% of the males with CAD will be having digit ratios above mean of the control group, and there is a 76% chance that a person picked at random from the CAD group will have a digit ratio more than the mean of control group. Diagonal ear lobe crease was found in 74% of CAD patients out of which 40% creases were unilateral and 34% were bilateral. Discussion It is concluded that 2D:4D ration and Diagonal ear lobe crease are the two extravascular atherosclerotic markers are invaluable in clinical evaluation of CAD patients.