Encouraging appropriate treatment for familial hypercholesterolemia

Abstract

Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is common but underdiagnosed, and typically undertreated. The molecular biology has been well understood for years, but public health efforts are essentially nonexistent in most countries, despite several outstanding examples in western Europe. Recent observational data suggest major benefit for even modest lipid intervention. The Make Early Diagnoses to Prevent Early Deaths (MEDPED) program seeks to identify and help patients with FH. Results from the US MEDPED Treatment Support Program were recently reported and support the utility of encouraging appropriately aggressive treatment, even from a remote location and demonstrate the interest, willingness and ability of FH patients to promote the efficacy of their own care. In the USA (and most countries in the world), there is a great need to implement a comprehensive program to promote early diagnosis and appropriate care of FH patients and to assess the outcome of these efforts.

Keywords:

• cholesterol
• coronary artery disease
• familial hypercholesterolemia
• low-density lipoprotein
• public health