Exploring Maxillofacial Indicators of Cardiovascular Disease: A Cross-sectional Study

Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of disability and death worldwide, particularly in lower-middle income countries like India. This study investigates Fordyce granules (FGs) as a potential marker for hyperlipidemia, alongside diagonal earlobe creases (DELC) and corneal arcus as indicators of coronary artery disease, aiming to enhance cardiovascular risk assessment in the Indian population. Objective To evaluate the association between cardiovascular conditions and maxillofacial markers, including corneal arcus, DELC, and FGs. Materials and Methods This cross-sectional study involved 60 participants: 30 CVD patients (Group I) and 30 non-CVD patients (Group II). The presence of DELC, FGs, and corneal arcus was recorded for each group. Results In Group I (CVD patients), prevalences were 40% for DELC, 66% for corneal arcus, and 6% for FGs. In Group II (non-CVD patients), prevalences were 3% for DELC, 10% for corneal arcus, and 30% for FGs, with significant differences between the groups. A significant association was found between DELC and corneal arcus ( p < .01) and FGs ( p = .02), emphasizing their link to cutaneous oral signs in CVD patients. Conclusion DELC, FGs, and corneal arcus may serve as valuable markers for early CVD detection in dental patients.