TY - JOUR
T1 - Follow-Up of Children Diagnosed with Familial Hypercholesterolemia in a National Genetic Screening Program
AU - Avis, Hans J.
AU - Kusters, D. Meeike
AU - Vissers, Maud N.
AU - Huijgen, Roeland
AU - Janssen, Thomas H.
AU - Wiegman, Albert
AU - Kindt, Iris
AU - Kastelein, John J. P.
AU - Wijburg, Frits A.
AU - Hutten, Barbara A.
PY - 2012
Y1 - 2012
N2 - Objective To assess the follow-up of children diagnosed as having familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) in the nationwide DNA-based cascade screening program (the Netherlands). Study design Questionnaires covering topics such as demographics, family history, physician consultation, and treatment were sent to parents of patients with FH (age 0-18 years), 18 months after diagnosis. Results We retrieved 207 questionnaires of patients aged 10.9 +/- 4.2 years (mean +/- SD) at diagnosis; 48% were boys, and the mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level at diagnosis was 167 +/- 51 mg/dL. Of these patients, 164 (79%) consulted a physician: a general practitioner (35%), lipid-clinic specialist (27%), pediatrician (21%), internist (11%), or another physician (6%). LDL-C level at diagnosis and a positive family history for cardiovascular disease were independent predictors for physician consultation. Of the patients who visited a physician, 62% reported to have received lifestyle advice, and 43 (26%) were prescribed statin treatment. Independent predictors for medication use were age, LDL-C level, and educational level of parents. Conclusion The follow-up of children with FH after diagnosis established through cascade screening is inadequate. Better education of patients, parents, and physicians, with a structured follow-up after screening, should improve control of LDL-C levels and hence cardiovascular risk in children with FH. (J Pediatr 2012; 161: 99-103)
AB - Objective To assess the follow-up of children diagnosed as having familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) in the nationwide DNA-based cascade screening program (the Netherlands). Study design Questionnaires covering topics such as demographics, family history, physician consultation, and treatment were sent to parents of patients with FH (age 0-18 years), 18 months after diagnosis. Results We retrieved 207 questionnaires of patients aged 10.9 +/- 4.2 years (mean +/- SD) at diagnosis; 48% were boys, and the mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level at diagnosis was 167 +/- 51 mg/dL. Of these patients, 164 (79%) consulted a physician: a general practitioner (35%), lipid-clinic specialist (27%), pediatrician (21%), internist (11%), or another physician (6%). LDL-C level at diagnosis and a positive family history for cardiovascular disease were independent predictors for physician consultation. Of the patients who visited a physician, 62% reported to have received lifestyle advice, and 43 (26%) were prescribed statin treatment. Independent predictors for medication use were age, LDL-C level, and educational level of parents. Conclusion The follow-up of children with FH after diagnosis established through cascade screening is inadequate. Better education of patients, parents, and physicians, with a structured follow-up after screening, should improve control of LDL-C levels and hence cardiovascular risk in children with FH. (J Pediatr 2012; 161: 99-103)
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2011.12.037
DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2011.12.037
M3 - Article
C2 - 22284919
SN - 0022-3476
VL - 161
SP - 99
EP - 103
JO - Journal of pediatrics
JF - Journal of pediatrics
IS - 1
ER -