PLoS ONE (Jan 2021)

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

  • Jean Ferrières,
  • Victoria Banks,
  • Demetris Pillas,
  • Francesco Giorgianni,
  • Laurene Gantzer,
  • Beranger Lekens,
  • Lea Ricci,
  • Margaux Dova-Boivin,
  • Jean-Vannak Chauny,
  • Guillermo Villa,
  • Gaelle Désaméricq

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0255345
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 8
p. e0255345

Abstract

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Background and aimsUntreated 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.MethodsThis 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.Results116 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.ConclusionsDespite 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.