Can patients be accurately assessed for familial hypercholesterolaemia in primary care?

Objective: Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is the most prevalent monogenic condition causing premature coronary artery disease, although the majority of individuals remain undiagnosed. We sought to investigate whether individuals with FH could be accurately identified in primary care.

Methods: The Dutch Lipid Clinic Network Criteria scores (DLCNCS) assessed by general practitioners (GPs) were compared with DLCNCS assessed by specialists using primary care data in 153 individuals.

Detecting familial hypercholesterolaemia in the community: impact of a telephone call from a chemical pathologist to the requesting general practitioner.

Objective: To determine whether a telephone call from a chemical pathologist to the requesting general practitioner (GP) of individuals at high risk of familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) increases specialist referral and detection of FH.

Method: Individuals with an LDL-cholesterol ≥ 6.5 mmol/L without secondary causes were identified from a community laboratory; 100 cases and 96 historical controls.

Familial hypercholesterolaemia: a model of care for Australasia.

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a dominantly inherited disorder present from birth that causes marked elevation in plasma cholesterol and premature coronary heart disease. There are at least 45,000 people with FH in Australia and New Zealand, but the vast majority remains undetected and those diagnosed with the condition are inadequately treated. To bridge this major gap in coronary prevention the FH Australasia Network (Australian Atherosclerosis Society) has developed a consensus model of care (MoC) for FH.