Improving detection of familial hypercholesterolaemia in primary care using electronic audit and nurse-led clinics

Long-Term Mortality in Patients With Severe Hypercholesterolemia Phenotype From a Racial and Ethnically Diverse US Cohort

BACKGROUND

Tools for mortality prediction in patients with the severe hypercholesterolemia phenotype (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥190 mg/dL) are limited and restricted to specific racial and ethnic cohorts. We sought to evaluate the predictors of long-term mortality in a large racially and ethnically diverse US patient cohort with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥190 mg/dL.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients with a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥190 mg/dL seeking care at Montefiore from 2010 through 2020. Patients <18 years of age or with previous malignancy were excluded. The primary end point was all-cause mortality. Analyses were stratified by age, sex, and race and ethnicity. Patients were stratified by primary and secondary prevention. Cox regression analyses were used to adjust for demographic, clinical, and treatment variables.

RESULTS

A total of 18 740 patients were included (37% non-Hispanic Black, 30% Hispanic, 12% non-Hispanic White, and 2% non-Hispanic Asian patients). The mean age was 53.9 years, and median follow-up was 5.2 years. Both high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and body mass index extremes were associated with higher mortality in univariate analyses. In adjusted models, higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels were associated with an increased 9-year mortality risk (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.08 [95% CI, 1.05-1.11] and 1.04 [95% CI, 1.02-1.06] per 20-mg/dL increase, respectively). Clinical factors associated with higher mortality included male sex (adjusted HR, 1.31 [95% CI, 1.08-1.58]), older age (adjusted HR, 1.19 per 5-year increase [95% CI, 1.15-1.23]), hypertension (adjusted HR, 2.01 [95% CI, 1.57-2.57]), chronic kidney disease (adjusted HR, 1.68 [95% CI, 1.36-2.09]), diabetes (adjusted HR, 1.79 [95% CI, 1.50-2.15]), heart failure (adjusted HR, 1.51 [95% CI, 1.16-1.95]), myocardial infarction (adjusted HR, 1.41 [95% CI, 1.05-1.90]), and body mass index <20 kg/m2 (adjusted HR, 3.36 [95% CI, 2.29-4.93]). A significant survival benefit was conferred by lipid-lowering therapy (adjusted HR, 0.57 [95% CI, 0.42-0.77]). In the primary prevention group, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol <40 mg/dL was independently associated with higher mortality (adjusted HR, 1.49 [95% CI, 1.06-2.09]). Temporal trend analyses showed a reduction in statin use over time (P<0.001). In the most recent time period (2019-2020), 56% of patients on primary prevention and 85% of those on secondary prevention were on statin therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

In a large, diverse cohort of US patients with the severe hypercholesterolemia phenotype, we identified several patient characteristics associated with increased 9-year all-cause mortality and observed a decrease in statin use over time, in particular for primary prevention. Our results support efforts geared toward early recognition and consistent treatment for patients with severe hypercholesterolemia.

Introducing genetic testing with case finding for familial hypercholesterolaemia in primary care: qualitative study of patient and health professional experience

BACKGROUND

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a common inherited condition causing elevated cholesterol, premature heart disease, and early death. Although FH can be effectively treated, over 80% of people with FH remain undetected.

AIM

To explore patient and health professional experiences of introducing genetic testing with case finding for FH in primary care.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Qualitative study in UK general practice.

METHOD

Semi-structured interviews with a purposeful sample of 41 participants (24 patients and 17 health professionals) from eight practices, using an electronic case-finding tool (FAMCAT) to identify patients with higher likelihood of having FH and who were then offered diagnostic genetic testing in primary care. Data were analysed thematically.

RESULTS

While prior awareness of FH was low, patients were unsurprised to be identified as being at risk, and positive about being offered genetic testing by their practice. Patients not found to have FH were relieved, although some felt frustrated that their high cholesterol lacked a clear cause. Those confirmed to have FH largely expected and accepted this outcome. Practitioners saw detection of FH as an important new opportunity for preventive care. They found the case-finding tool easy to apply and noted patients' high uptake of genetic testing. While they were comfortable referring appropriate patients for further specialist management, GPs sought clearer definition about responsibility for identification and long- term care of FH in future care pathways.

CONCLUSION

Introducing genetic testing with electronic case finding for FH in primary care was positively experienced by patients and practitioners. Further development of this approach could help improve detection of FH in the general population.

Clinical decision support for familial hypercholesterolemia (CDS-FH): Rationale and design of a cluster randomized trial in primary care

BACKGROUND

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an underdiagnosed and undertreated genetic disorder with high risk of premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and death. Clinical decision support (CDS) systems have the potential to aid in the identification and management of patients with FH. Prior studies using computer-based systems to screen patients for FH have shown promising results, but there has been no randomized controlled trial conducted. The aim of the current cluster randomized study is to evaluate if a CDS can increase the identification of FH.

METHODS

We have developed a CDS integrated in the electronic health records that will be activated in patients with elevated cholesterol levels (total cholesterol >8 mmol/L or low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol >5.5 mmol/L, adjusted for age, ongoing lipid lowering therapy and presence of premature coronary artery disease) at increased risk for FH. When activated, the CDS will urge the physician to send an automatically generated referral to the local lipid clinic for further evaluation. To evaluate the effects of the CDS, all primary care clinics will be cluster randomized 1:1 to either CDS intervention or standard care in a Swedish region with almost 500,000 inhabitants. The primary endpoint will be the number of patients diagnosed with FH at 30 months. Resource use and long-term health consequences will be estimated to assess the cost-effectiveness of the intervention.

CONCLUSION

Despite increasing awareness of FH, the condition remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. The present study will investigate whether a CDS can increase the number of patients being diagnosed with FH.

Case-finding and genetic testing for familial hypercholesterolaemia in primary care

OBJECTIVE

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a common inherited disorder that remains mostly undetected in the general population. Through FH case-finding and direct access to genetic testing in primary care, this intervention study described the genetic and lipid profile of patients found at increased risk of FH and the outcomes in those with positive genetic test results.

METHODS

In 14 Central England general practices, a novel case-finding tool (Familial Hypercholetserolaemia Case Ascertainment Tool, FAMCAT1) was applied to the electronic health records of 86 219 patients with cholesterol readings (44.5% of total practices' population), identifying 3375 at increased risk of FH. Of these, a cohort of 336 consenting to completing Family History Questionnaire and detailed review of their clinical data, were offered FH genetic testing in primary care.

RESULTS

Genetic testing was completed by 283 patients, newly identifying 16 with genetically confirmed FH and 10 with variants of unknown significance. All 26 (9%) were recommended for referral and 19 attended specialist assessment. In a further 153 (54%) patients, the test suggested polygenic hypercholesterolaemia who were managed in primary care. Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels were higher in those patients with FH-causing variants than those with other genetic test results (p=0.010 and p=0.002).

CONCLUSION

Electronic case-finding and genetic testing in primary care could improve identification of FH; and the better targeting of patients for specialist assessment. A significant proportion of patients identified at risk of FH are likely to have polygenic hypercholesterolaemia. There needs to be a clearer management plan for these individuals in primary care.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03934320.

Comparing the performance of the novel FAMCAT algorithms and established case-finding criteria for familial hypercholesterolaemia in primary care

OBJECTIVE

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a common inherited disorder causing premature coronary heart disease (CHD) and death. We have developed the novel Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Case Ascertainment Tool (FAMCAT 1) case-finding algorithm for application in primary care, to improve detection of FH. The performance of this algorithm was further improved by including personal history of premature CHD (FAMCAT 2 algorithm). This study has evaluated their performance, at 95% specificity, to detect genetically confirmed FH in the general population. We also compared these algorithms to established clinical case-finding criteria.

METHODS

Prospective validation study, in 14 general practices, recruiting participants from the general adult population with cholesterol documented. For 260 participants with available health records, we determined possible FH cases based on FAMCAT thresholds, Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) score, Simon-Broome criteria and recommended cholesterol thresholds (total cholesterol >9.0 mmol/L if ≥30 years or >7.5 mmol/L if <30 years), using clinical data from electronic and manual extraction of patient records and family history questionnaires. The reference standard was genetic testing. We examined detection rate (DR), sensitivity and specificity for each case-finding criteria.

RESULTS

At 95% specificity, FAMCAT 1 had a DR of 27.8% (95% CI 12.5% to 50.9%) with sensitivity of 31.2% (95% CI 11.0% to 58.7%); while FAMCAT 2 had a DR of 45.8% (95% CI 27.9% to 64.9%) with sensitivity of 68.8% (95% CI 41.3% to 89.0%). DLCN score ≥6 points yielded a DR of 35.3% (95% CI 17.3% to 58.7%) and sensitivity of 37.5% (95% CI 15.2% to 64.6%). Using recommended cholesterol thresholds resulted in DR of 28.0% (95% CI 14.3% to 47.6%) with sensitivity of 43.8% (95% CI 19.8% to 70.1%). Simon-Broome criteria had lower DR 11.3% (95% CI 6.0% to 20.0%) and specificity 70.9% (95% CI 64.8% to 76.5%) but higher sensitivity of 56.3% (95% CI 29.9% to 80.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

In primary care, in patients with cholesterol documented, FAMCAT 2 performs better than other case-finding criteria for detecting genetically confirmed FH, with no prior clinical review required for case finding.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03934320.

Strategies for screening for familial hypercholesterolaemia in primary care and other community settings

BACKGROUND

Familial hypercholesterolaemia is a common inherited condition that is associated with premature cardiovascular disease. The increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, resulting from high levels of cholesterol since birth, can be prevented by starting lipid-lowering therapy. However, the majority of patients in the UK and worldwide remain undiagnosed. Established diagnostic criteria in current clinical practice are the Simon-Broome and Dutch Lipid Clinical network criteria and patients are classified as having probable, possible or definite familial hypercholesterolaemia.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness of healthcare interventions strategies to systematically improve identification of familial hypercholesterolaemia in primary care and other community settings compared to usual care (incidental approaches to identify familial hypercholesterolaemia in primary care and other community settings).

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Inborn Errors of Metabolism Trials Register. Date of last search: 13 September 2021. We also searched databases (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and SCOPUS) as well as handsearching relevant conference proceedings, reference lists of included articles, and the grey literature. Date of last searches: 05 March 2020.  SELECTION CRITERIA: As per the Effective Practice and Organisation of Care (EPOC) Group guidelines, we planned to include randomised controlled trials (RCTs), cluster-RCTs and non-randomised studies of interventions (NRSI). Eligible NRSI were non-randomised controlled trials, prospective cohort studies, controlled before-and-after studies, and interrupted-time-series studies. We planned to selected studies with healthcare interventions strategies that aimed to systematically identify people with possible or definite clinical familial hypercholesterolaemia, in primary care and other community settings. These strategies would be compared with usual care or no intervention. We considered participants of any age from the general population who access primary care and other community settings.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors planned to independently select studies according to the inclusion criteria, to extract data and assess for risk of bias and the certainty of the evidence (according to the GRADE criteria). We contacted corresponding study authors in order to obtain further information for all the studies considered in the review.

MAIN RESULTS

No eligible RCTs or NRSIs were identified for inclusion, however, we excluded 28 studies.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Currently, there are no RCTs or controlled NRSI evidence to determine the most appropriate healthcare strategy to systematically identify possible or definite clinical familial hypercholesterolaemia in primary care or other community settings. Uncontrolled before-and-after studies were identified, but were not eligible for inclusion. Further studies assessing healthcare strategies of systematic identification of familial hypercholesterolaemia need to be conducted with diagnosis confirmed by genetic testing or validated through clinical phenotype (or both).

Screening and treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia in a French sample of ambulatory care patients: A retrospective longitudinal cohort study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Untreated Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) leads to premature morbidity and mortality. In France, its epidemiology and management are understudied in ambulatory care. We described the clinical profile, pharmacological management, and clinical outcomes in a French sample of FH patients.

METHODS

This was a retrospective longitudinal study on patients from The Health Improvement Network (THIN®) database in France, between October 2016-June 2019. Patients ≥18 years, with probable/definite FH based on the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) criteria were included. Baseline characteristics, lipid profile, lipid-lowering therapy (LLT), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) goal achievement; and disease management at 6-month of follow-up were analyzed.

RESULTS

116 patients with probable (n = 70)/definite (n = 46) FH were included (mean age:57.8±14.0 years; 56.0% women; 9.5% with personal history of cardiovascular events); 90 patients had data available at follow-up. At baseline, 77.6% of patients had LDL-C>190 mg/dL, 27.6% were not receiving LLTs, 37.9% received statins alone, 20.7% statins with other LLTs, and 7.7% other LLTs. High-intensity statins were prescribed to 11.2% of patients, 30.2% received moderate-intensity statins, and 8.6% low-intensity statins. Only 6.0% of patients achieved LDL-C goal. At 6-month of follow-up, statins discontinuation and switching were 22.7% and 2.3%, respectively. None of the patients received proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors at baseline nor follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the existence of effective LLTs, FH patients are suboptimally-treated, do not achieve LDL-C goal, and exhibit worsened pharmacological management over time. Future studies with longer follow-up periods and assessment of factors affecting LDL-C management, including lifestyle and diet, are needed.

Improving detection and management of familial hypercholesterolaemia in Australian general practice

OBJECTIVE

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is characterised by elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, FH remains substantially underdiagnosed and undertreated. We employed a two-stage pragmatic approach to identify and manage patients with FH in primary healthcare.

METHODS

Medical records for 232 139 patients who attended 15 general practices at least once in the previous 2 years across five Australian States were first screened for potential risk of FH using an electronic tool (TARB-Ex) and confirmed by general practitioner (GP) clinical assessment based on phenotypic Dutch Lipid Clinic Network Criteria (DLCNC) score. Follow-up GP consultation and management was provided for patients with phenotypic FH.

RESULTS

A total of 1843 patients were identified by TARB-Ex as at potential risk of FH (DLCNC score ≥5). After GP medical record review, 900 of these patients (49%) were confirmed with DLCNC score ≥5 and classified as high-risk of FH. From 556 patients subsequently clinically assessed by GPs, 147 (26%) were diagnosed with phenotypic FH (DLCNC score >6). Follow-up GP consultation and management for 77 patients resulted in a significant reduction in LDL-cholesterol (-16%, p<0.01). A higher proportion of these patients attained the treatment target of 50% reduction in LDL-cholesterol (74% vs 62%, p<0.001) and absolute levels of LDL-cholesterol goals compared with baseline (26% vs 12%, p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

A pragmatic approach integrating electronic medical record tools and clinical GP follow-up consultation is a feasible method to identify and better manage patients with FH in the primary healthcare setting.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

12616000630415.

Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: prevalence and control rates

Introduction: Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (heFH) is associated with a very high risk for cardiovascular events. Treatment with potent statins substantially reduces cardiovascular morbidity in these patients. Moreover, combination therapy with statins plus ezetimibe and/or proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors facilitates achievement of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets in patients with heFH. However, heFH remains underdiagnosed and undertreated worldwide.Areas covered: In this review, we summarize current evidence on the prevalence and control rates of heFH. Accumulating data suggest that heFH is one of the most common hereditary metabolic disorders, affecting approximately 1 in every 300 individuals. However, only a small minority of patients with heFH achieve LDL-C targets, even in high-income countries and in subjects followed-up in specialized lipid clinics.Expert opinion: Given the underdiagnosis of heFH using cascade and opportunistic screening, wider, population-based screening strategies should be evaluated for their feasibility and cost-effectiveness if we aspire to timely diagnosis and therefore prevention of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in this very high risk population. Overcoming inertia in uptitrating statin dose, adding ezetimibe and/or PCSK9 inhibitors along with more generous reimbursement for lipid-lowering agents in patients with heFH are essential for improving goal attainment rates.

Systematic Identification of Familial Hypercholesterolaemia in Primary Care-A Systematic Review

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a common inherited cause of premature cardiovascular disease, but the majority of patients remain undiagnosed. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of interventions to systematically identify FH in primary care. No randomised, controlled studies were identified; however, three non-randomised intervention studies were eligible for inclusion. All three studies systematically identified FH using reminders (on-screen prompts) in electronic health records. There was insufficient evidence that providing comments on laboratory test results increased the identification of FH using the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) criteria. Similarly, using prompts combined with postal invitation demonstrated no significant increase in definite FH identification using Simon-Broome (SB) criteria; however, the identification of possible FH increased by 25.4% (CI 17.75 to 33.97%). Using on-screen prompts alone demonstrated a small increase of 0.05% (95% CI 0.03 to 0.07%) in identifying definite FH using SB criteria; however, when the intervention was combined with an outreach FH nurse assessment, the result was no significant increase in FH identification using a combination of SB and DLCN criteria. None of the included studies reported adverse effects associated with the interventions. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to determine which is the most effective method of systematically identifying FH in non-specialist settings.

Improving the identification of patients with a genetic diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolaemia in primary care: A strategy to achieve the NHS long term plan

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

We aimed to validate a nurse-led process using electronic health records to identify those at risk of familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) for genetic diagnosis in primary care.

METHODS

Those at risk of FH were identified using searches developed and refined locally and implemented in primary care by a trained nurse; they were invited for further assessment and genetic testing if indicated. Family members at risk of FH were identified and invited for cascade testing.

RESULTS

In total 94,444 patient records were screened (expected prevalence of FH (1 in 250); 377). Of 176 records which already had a diagnostic for FH, 15 had been genetically confirmed and one was undergoing DNA testing. A further 572 (0.61%) were identified as high risk of FH. After desktop screening, 113 (15%) were invited for further assessment. Of these, 73 individuals attended the primary care clinic (64%) of whom 61 (54%) underwent proband genetic testing. Pathogenic variants were detected in 22 cases (36%) and variants of unknown significance in a further 4 cases; a total of 26 probands (43%) were therefore referred for family cascade testing.

CONCLUSIONS

An optimised FH identification pathway, based on the NICE CG71 recommendations for systematic searching of primary care electronic health records, can be deployed successfully in primary care settings.

Screening for potential familial hypercholesterolaemia in general practice: an observational study on prevalence and management

BACKGROUND

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a common genetic disorder causing premature cardiovascular disease (CVD). The estimated prevalence of probable or definite FH is 1:200-250 individuals, according to the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) criteria for FH. In Denmark approximately 12% of cases are identified.

AIM

To provide knowledge of the prevalence and management of FH in general practice.

DESIGN & SETTING

A collaboration between six general practice clinics and the department of cardiology at Bispebjerg hospital in Denmark.

METHOD

A total of 9652 patient records were screened for hypercholesterolaemia. All patients with a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ≥5.0 mmol/l were included in the study population and their records were investigated in order to perform a diagnostic score according to the DLCN criteria.

RESULTS

It was found that 2382 individuals had a lipid measurement available, and 236 of those had an LDL-C ≥5.0 mmol/l. In total, 34 individuals were found to have probable or definite FH (DLCN score ≥5). Only three individuals had been diagnosed and treated with lipid-lowering therapy. Of 236 individuals with high LDL-C, only 25 individuals met their treatment target. By excluding patients with signs of secondary hypercholesterolaemia, a subgroup of 115 individuals with potential primary hypercholesterolaemia was established. Among those, 21 individuals were found to have probable or definite FH (1:114 individuals).

CONCLUSION

The study shows that there is a massive lack of recognition of FH in general practice. Despite a measured high LDL-C, the diagnosis is rarely made and only a few patients are treated accordingly. Of the patients undergoing treatment, only a few reached their treatment target.

Prevalence of Familial Hypercholesterolemia Among the General Population and Patients With Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

Background:

Contemporary studies suggest that familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is more frequent than previously reported and increasingly recognized as affecting individuals of all ethnicities and across many regions of the world. Precise estimation of its global prevalence and prevalence across World Health Organization regions is needed to inform policies aiming at early detection and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) prevention. The present study aims to provide a comprehensive assessment and more reliable estimation of the prevalence of FH than hitherto possible in the general population (GP) and among patients with ASCVD.

Methods:

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis including studies reporting on the prevalence of heterozygous FH in the GP or among those with ASCVD. Studies reporting gene founder effects and focused on homozygous FH were excluded. The search was conducted through Medline, Embase, Cochrane, and Global Health, without time or language restrictions. A random-effects model was applied to estimate the overall pooled prevalence of FH in the general and ASCVD populations separately and by World Health Organization regions.

Results:

From 3225 articles, 42 studies from the GP and 20 from populations with ASCVD were eligible, reporting on 7 297 363 individuals/24 636 cases of FH and 48 158 patients/2827 cases of FH, respectively. More than 60% of the studies were from Europe. Use of the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network criteria was the commonest diagnostic method. Within the GP, the overall pooled prevalence of FH was 1:311 (95% CI, 1:250–1:397; similar between children [1:364] and adults [1:303], P =0.60; across World Health Organization regions where data were available, P =0.29; and between population-based and electronic health records–based studies, P =0.82). Studies with ≤10 000 participants reported a higher prevalence (1:200–289) compared with larger cohorts (1:365–407; P <0.001). The pooled prevalence among those with ASCVD was 18-fold higher than in the GP (1:17 [95% CI, 1:12–1:24]), driven mainly by coronary artery disease (1:16; [95% CI, 1:12–1:23]). Between-study heterogeneity was large ( I 2 >95%). Tests assessing bias were nonsignificant ( P >0.3).

Conclusions:

With an overall prevalence of 1:311, FH is among the commonest genetic disorders in the GP, similarly present across different regions of the world, and is more frequent among those with ASCVD. The present results support the advocacy for the institution of public health policies, including screening programs, to identify FH early and to prevent its global burden.

The evaluation and management of patients with LDL-C ≥ 190 ​mg/dL in a large health care system

Objectives

Patients with severe hyperlipidemia (low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) ≥190 ​mg/dL) have a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and are more likely to have familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). We sought to determine how often health care providers recognize the implications of and adjust therapy for an LDL-C ≥190 ​mg/dL.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of patients with an LDL-C measurement in the medical record of a large health care system between November 2015 and June 2016. Patients were restricted to those with LDL-C ≥190 ​mg/dL and without secondary causes of dyslipidemia, with sensitivity analyses for those with LDL-C ≥220 ​mg/dL.

Results

Of 27,963 patients, 227 had LDL-C ≥190 ​mg/dL. Only 21% were on a statin at the time of LDL-C measurement. More than 90% had a follow-up clinic visit, but 41% had no change in treatment. FH was only included in the differential for 14%. The presence/absence of a family history of dyslipidemia, myocardial infarction, and premature CVD were documented in 26%, 29%, and 31%. Only 20.7% and 22.1% had documentation of the presence or absence of tendinous xanthomas or corneal arcus, respectively. Among those without prior specialist care (cardiologist or endocrinologist), only 13% were referred. These measures were only slightly better for those with LDL-C ≥220 ​mg/dL.

Conclusion

In a large health care system, the possibility of FH was rarely acknowledged in those with residual LDL-C ≥190 ​mg/dL, few were referred to specialists, and therapeutic adjustments were suboptimal. Additional efforts are required to understand barriers to improving the evaluation and management of patients with LDL-C ≥190 ​mg/dL.

Barriers to Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Current Perspectives on Improving Patient Care

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a frequent disorder associated with premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Different clinical diagnosis criteria are available, and cost of genetic testing has been reduced in the last years; however, most cases are not diagnosed worldwide. Patients with FH are at high cardiovascular risk and the risk can be reduced with lifelong lifestyle and pharmacological treatment. Statins and ezetimibe are available as generic drugs in most countries reducing the cost of treatment. However, the use of high-intensity statins combined with ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitors, if necessary, is low for different reasons that contribute to a high number of patients not reaching LDL-C targets according to guidelines. On the other hand, cardiovascular risk varies greatly in families with FH; therefore, risk stratification strategies including cardiovascular imaging is another element to consider for improving care and management of FH. There are numerous barriers depending on the awareness, knowledge, perception of risk, management and care of patients living with FH that impact in the diagnosis and treatment of the disorder. In this contemporary review, we analyze different barriers in the diagnosis and care of patients to improve patients’ care and prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and describe recent advances and strategies to improve the gaps in the care of FH, including global collaboration and advocacy.

Improving the detection of familial hypercholesterolaemia

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a dominantly inherited disorder of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) catabolism, which if untreated causes lifelong elevated LDL-cholesterol (LDL-c), accelerated atherosclerosis and premature cardiovascular disease. Recent evidence suggests the prevalence of heterozygous FH is ∼1:220, making FH the most common autosomal dominant condition. Lowering LDL-c with statin and lifestyle therapy reduces the risk of cardiovascular events. Furthermore, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors significantly lower LDL-c in addition to statin therapy, and early outcome data suggest improved vascular outcomes with these agents in FH patients in addition to statins. However, the vast majority of people with FH still remain undiagnosed. The onus is on clinicians to identify kindreds with FH, as PCSK9 inhibitors, although expensive, are funded for patients with FH in Australia. Multiple strategies for detecting FH have been proposed. The detection of index cases can be achieved through applying electronic screening tools to general practice databases, universal screening of children during immunisation, and targeted screening of patients with premature cardiovascular disease. Advances in genomic technology have decreased costs of genetic testing, improved the understanding of the pathogenesis of FH and facilitated cascade screening. However, awareness of FH amongst clinicians and the general public still requires optimisation. This review outlines recent advances in FH detection, including emerging strategies and challenges for the next decade.

Barriers to the identification of familial hypercholesterolemia among primary care providers

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is severely underdiagnosed in the USA. Primary care providers are well-positioned to identify FH cases; however, universal FH screening is not routinely implemented in practice. The aim of the present study was to identify perceived barriers to FH screening among primary care physicians in Minnesota. A questionnaire assessed FH screening practices, knowledge, and perceived barriers to FH screening. The questionnaire, sent electronically to internal and family medicine physicians in Minnesota (N = 1932) yielded a conservative estimated response rate of 9% (N = 173). Although 92% of participants reported themselves responsible for identifying individuals with FH, 30% did not routinely perform screening in practice. Only 50% of participants were able to correctly identify the risk of FH to first-degree relatives of individuals with FH. Challenges incorporating lipid and family history data was the most frequently endorsed barrier to FH screening (34%). A majority of participants endorsed a clinical decision support system that flags individuals at high risk for FH (62%) and an algorithm with cholesterol levels and lipid disorders (56%) as means of facilitating FH screening. Although the generalizability of the findings is unknown, the results underscore the need for increased provider education regarding FH and suggest an FH screening strategy incorporating a clinical decision support system, screening algorithm, and support from other healthcare providers.

Cost-utility analysis of searching electronic health records and cascade testing to identify and diagnose familial hypercholesterolaemia in England and Wales

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The cost effectiveness of cascade testing for familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is well recognised. Less clear is the cost effectiveness of FH screening when it includes case identification strategies that incorporate routinely available data from primary and secondary care electronic health records.

METHODS

Nine strategies were compared, all using cascade testing in combination with different index case approaches (primary care identification, secondary care identification, and clinical assessment using the Simon Broome (SB) or Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) criteria). A decision analytic model was informed by three systematic literature reviews and expert advice provided by a NICE Guideline Committee.

RESULTS

The model found that the addition of primary care case identification by database search for patients with recorded total cholesterol >9.3 mmol/L was more cost effective than cascade testing alone. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of clinical assessment using the DLCN criteria was £3254 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) compared with case-finding with no genetic testing. The ICER of clinical assessment using the SB criteria was £13,365 per QALY (compared with primary care identification using the DLCN criteria), indicating that the SB criteria was preferred because it achieved additional health benefits at an acceptable cost. Secondary care identification, with either the SB or DLCN criteria, was not cost effective, alone (dominated and dominated respectively) or combined with primary care identification (£63, 514 per QALY, and £82,388 per QALY respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Searching primary care databases for people at high risk of FH followed by cascade testing is likely to be cost-effective.

Improving identification and management of familial hypercholesterolaemia in primary care: Pre- and post-intervention study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a major cause of premature heart disease but remains unrecognised in most patients. This study investigated if a systematic primary care-based approach to identify and manage possible FH improves recommended best clinical practice.

METHODS

Pre- and post-intervention study in six UK general practices (population 45,033), which invited patients with total cholesterol >7.5 mmol/L to be assessed for possible FH. Compliance with national guideline recommendations to identify and manage possible FH (repeat cholesterol; assess family history of heart disease; identify secondary causes and clinical features; reduce total & LDL-cholesterol; statin prescribing; lifestyle advice) was assessed by calculating the absolute difference in measures of care pre- and six months post-intervention.

RESULTS

The intervention improved best clinical practice in 118 patients consenting to assessment (of 831 eligible patients): repeat cholesterol test (+75.4%, 95% CI 66.9-82.3); family history of heart disease assessed (+35.6%, 95% CI 27.0-44.2); diagnosis of secondary causes (+7.7%, 95% CI 4.1-13.9), examining clinical features (+6.0%, 95% CI 2.9-11.7). For 32 patients diagnosed with possible FH using Simon-Broome criteria, statin prescription significantly improved (18.8%, 95% CI 8.9-35.3), with non-significant mean reductions in cholesterol post-intervention (total: -0.16 mmol/L, 95% CI -0.78-0.46; LDL: -0.12 mmol/L, 95% CI -0.81-0.57).

CONCLUSIONS

Within six months, this simple primary care intervention improved both identification and management of patients with possible FH, in line with national evidence-based guidelines. Replicating and sustaining this approach across the country could lead to substantial improvement in health outcomes for these individuals with very high cardiovascular risk.

Familial hypercholesterolemia in a European Mediterranean population-Prevalence and clinical data from 2.5 million primary care patients

BACKGROUND

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), the most frequent hereditary cause of premature coronary heart disease (CHD), is underdiagnosed and insufficiently treated.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the study were to estimate the prevalence of the FH phenotype (FH-P) and to describe its clinical characteristics in a Mediterranean population.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the Catalan primary care system's clinical records database (Catalan acronym: SIDIAP). Patients aged >7 years with at least 1 low-density lipoprotein cholesterol measurement recorded between 2006 and 2014 (n = 2,554,644) were included. Heterozygous FH-P and homozygous FH-P were defined by untreated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol plasma concentrations. The presence of cardiovascular diseases and risk factors was defined by coded medical records from primary care and hospital discharge databases.

RESULTS

The age- and sex-standardized prevalence of heterozygous FH-P and homozygous FH-P were 1/192 individuals and 1/425,774 individuals, respectively. In the group aged 8 to 18 years, 0.46% (95% confidence interval: 0.41-0.52) had FH-P; overall prevalence was 0.58% (95% confidence interval: 0.58-0.60). Among patients with FH-P aged >18 years, cardiovascular disease prevalence was 3.5 times higher than in general population, and CHD prevalence in those aged 35 to 59 years was 4.5 times higher than in those without FH-P. Lipid-lowering therapy was lacking in 13.5% of patients with FH-P, and only 31.6% of men and 22.7 of women were receiving high or very high-intensity lipid-lowering therapy.

CONCLUSION

Prevalence of FH-P was higher than expected, but underdiagnosed and suboptimally treated, especially in women. Moreover, treatment started late considering the high CHD incidence associated with this condition.

Improving detection of familial hypercholesterolaemia in primary care using electronic audit and nurse-led clinics

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

In the UK fewer than 15% of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) cases are diagnosed, representing a major gap in coronary heart disease prevention. We wished to support primary care doctors within the Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to implement NICE guidance (CG71) and consider the possibility of FH in adults who have raised total cholesterol concentrations, thereby improving the detection of people with FH.

METHODS

Utilizing clinical decision support software (Audit+) we developed an FH Audit Tool and implemented a systematic audit of electronic medical records within GP practices, first identifying all patients diagnosed with FH or possible FH and next electronically flagging patients with a recorded total cholesterol of >7.5 mmol L(-1) or LDL-C > 4.9 mmol L(-1) (in adults), for further assessment. After a 2-year period, a nurse-led clinic was introduced to screen more intensely for new FH index cases. We evaluated if these interventions increased the prevalence of FH closer to the expected prevalence from epidemiological studies.

RESULTS

The baseline prevalence of FH within Medway CCG was 0.13% (1 in 750 persons). After 2 years, the recorded prevalence of diagnosed FH increased by 0.09% to 0.22% (1 in 450 persons). The nurse advisor programme ran for 9 months (October 2013-July 2014) and during this time, the recorded prevalence of patients diagnosed with FH increased to 0.28% (1 in 357 persons) and the prevalence of patients 'at risk and unscreened' reduced from 0.58% to 0.14%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows that two simple interventions increased the detection of FH. This systematic yet simple electronic case-finding programme with nurse-led review allowed the identification of new index cases, more than doubling the recorded prevalence of detected disease to 1 in 357 (0.28%). This study shows that primary care has an important role in identifying patients with this condition.

Feasibility of improving identification of familial hypercholesterolaemia in general practice: intervention development study

OBJECTIVES

To assess the feasibility of improving identification of familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) in primary care, and of collecting outcome measures to inform a future trial.

DESIGN

Feasibility intervention study.

SETTING

6 general practices (GPs) in central England.

PARTICIPANTS

831 eligible patients with elevated cholesterol >7.5 mmol/L were identified, by search of electronic health records, for recruitment to the intervention.

INTERVENTION

Educational session in practice; use of opportunistic computer reminders in consultations or universal postal invitation over 6 months to eligible patients invited to complete a family history questionnaire. Those fulfilling the Simon-Broome criteria for possible FH were invited for GP assessment and referred for specialist definitive diagnosis.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Rates of recruitment of eligible patients, identification of patients with possible FH, referral to specialist care, diagnosis of confirmed FH in specialist care; and feasibility of collecting relevant outcome measures for a future trial.

RESULTS

Of 173 general practices, 18 were interested in participating and 6 were recruited. From 831 eligible patients, 127 (15.3%) were recruited and completed family history questionnaires: 86 (10.7%) through postal invitation and 41 (4.9%) opportunistically. Among the 127 patients, 32 (25.6%) had a possible diagnosis of FH in primary care. Within 6 months of completing recruitment, 7 patients had had specialist assessment confirming 2 patients with definite FH (28.6%), and 5 patients with possible FH (71.4%). Potential trial outcome measures for lipid tests, statin prescribing and secondary causes of hypercholesterolaemia were extracted using automated data extraction from electronic records alone without recourse to other methods.

CONCLUSIONS

The intervention is feasible to implement in GP, and facilitates recruitment of patients with raised cholesterol for targeted assessment and identification of FH. Extracting data directly from electronic records could be used to evaluate relevant outcome measures in a future trial.