Opsporing en behandeling van erfelijk hoog cholesterol

Translated title of the contribution: Detection and treatment of familial hypercholesterolaemia; the earlier, the better?

D. M. Kusters, B. A. Hutten, A. Wiegman, M. C. Cornel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleProfessional

Abstract

A recent Dutch study in patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH), suggests that long-term statin treatment initiated at childhood reduces the risk for cardiovascular events in adulthood. None of the patients developed rhabdomyolysis or other serious adverse effects. Early detection of FH is crucial for early treatment initiation. However, the Dutch cascade screening program ended at the end of 2013, at which point approximately 40,000 FH patients had not yet been identified. In order to trace this cohort, in 2014 the 'LEEFH' foundation (National Expertise Centre for Genetic Testing for Familial Cardiovascular Diseases) was set up. Family members of index patients are no longer actively approached to be tested, and as a result the number of detected family members has decreased significantly. These study findings underline the importance of actively screening the family members of index patients, including children and adolescents.
Translated title of the contributionDetection and treatment of familial hypercholesterolaemia; the earlier, the better?
Original languageDutch
JournalNederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde
Volume164
Publication statusPublished - 20 May 2020

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