Cascade Screening and Treatment Initiation in Young Adults with Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia.

ABSTRACT: Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) creates elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), causing premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Guidelines recommend cascade screening relatives and starting statin therapy at 8-10 years old, but adherence to these recommendations is low. Our purpose was to measure self-reported physician practices for cascade screening and treatment initiation for HeFH using a survey of 500 primary care physicians and 500 cardiologists: 54% "always" cascade screen relatives of an individual with FH, but 68% would screen individuals with "strong family history of high cholesterol or premature ASCVD", and 74% would screen a child of a patient with HeFH. The most likely age respondents would start statins was 18-29 years, with

SUBMITTER: Peterson AL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8306062 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature