Frank's sign is a diagonal crease in the ear lobe extending from the tragus across the lobule to the rear edge of the auricle. [1] The sign is named after Sanders T. Frank. [1]
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It has been hypothesised that Frank's sign is indicative of cardiovascular disease [2] [3] and/or diabetes. [4] Some studies have described Frank's sign as a marker of cardiovascular disease but not linked to the severity of the condition. [5] In contrast, other studies have rebutted any association between Frank's sign and coronary artery disease in diabetics. [6] There have also been reported cases of Frank's sign being a predictor of cerebral infarctions. [7] A link between Frank's sign and premature aging and the loss of dermal and vascular fibers has also been hypothesized. [8] Some studies have focused on association between bilateral earlobe crease and coronary artery disease. [9] It is probably prudent to consider Frank's Sign alongside other clinical markers of physiological ageing, rather than utilising it as a stand-alone sign in the identification of coronary artery disease. [10]