Frank's sign as a risk factor for cerebrovascular disease

Abstract

Frank's sign is a dermatological marker which is through many studies put in correlation with the coronary heart disease. The aim of this research carried out on a sample of 60 examinees is to define whether Frank's sign belongs to the group of risk factors of cerebrovascular disease. The examinees with the presence of Frank's sign were assinged to group A, while the examinees without the presence of Frank's sign were assigned to group B, all of whom were subject to color Doppler examination of carotid arteries and also their carotid artery intimal wall thickness (IMT – “ intima-media thickness“ ) on a common carotid artery (ACC) was determined. The value of ACC-IMT taken as increased was the value exceeding 0.9 mm. Using a statistical analysis by performing the Pearson's Chi-square test, the value obtained was 11, 279 and p = 0, 001. By Frank's sign validity assessment in predicting increased ACC-IMT the sensitivity determined reached 73%, a specificity of 70%, a positive predictive value of 71% and a negative predictive value of 72%. The research has shown statistically significant correlation of Frank's sign and increased ACC-IMT supporting the hypothesis according to which this marker is an uncontrollable risk factor for cerebrovascular disease.