Vascular risk factors, vascular disease, lipids and lipid targets in patients with familial dysbetalipoproteinemia: a European cross-sectional study

Familial dysbetalipoproteinemia (FD), also known as type III hyperlipoproteinemia, is a genetic dyslipidemia characterized by elevated very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and chylomicron remnant particles that confers increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of vascular risk factors, CVD, lipid values, treatment and lipid targets in patients with FD across Europe. This cross-sectional study was performed in 305 patients with FD from seven academic hospitals in four European countries. Information was collected from clinical records. Patients mean (±standard deviation) age was 60.9±14.4 years, 201 (66%) were male, 69 (23%) had diabetes mellitus (DM) and 87 (29%) had a prior history of CVD. Mean body mass index was 28.5±5.0 kg/m2. Lipid-lowering medication was used by 227 (74%) patients (27% usual dose (theoretical low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction≤40%) and 46% intensive dose (theoretical LDL-C reduction>40%)). Non high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) levels below treatment target ( <3.3 mmol/L) were present in 123 (40%) patients and 163 patients (53%) had LDL-C levels below target ( <2.5 mmol/L). No significant determinants were found for having non-HDL-C levels below target, while a prior history of CVD (OR 1.90, 95%CI 1.05-3.47) and presence of DM (OR 2.00, 95%CI 1.08-3.70) were associated with having LDL-C levels below treatment target. The majority of FD patients had non-HDL-C levels above the treatment target of 3.3 mmol/L. Intensive dose lipid-lowering medication was used by only half of the patients, leaving them at increased cardiovascular risk