scholarly journals The Prevalence of Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia in Selected Regions of the Russian Federation: The FH-ESSE-RF Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 464
Author(s):  
Alexey N. Meshkov ◽  
Alexandra I. Ershova ◽  
Anna V. Kiseleva ◽  
Svetlana A. Shalnova ◽  
Oxana M. Drapkina ◽  
...  

Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) is one of the most common genetic conditions but remains substantially underdiagnosed. The aim of our study was to investigate the prevalence of HeFH in the population of 11 different regions of Russia. Individuals were selected from the Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Diseases in Regions of the Russian Federation Study. All participants who had low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) higher than 4.9 mmol/L, or LDL-C lower than 4.9 mmol/L, but had statin therapy, were additionally examined by FH experts. FH was diagnosed using the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network criteria, incorporating genetic testing. HeFH prevalence was assessed for 18,142 participants. The prevalence of patients with definite or probable HeFH combined was 0.58% (1 in 173). A total of 16.1% of patients with definite or probable HeFH had tendon xanthomas; 36.2% had mutations in one of the three genes; 45.6% of FH patients had coronary artery disease; 63% of HeFH patients received statins; one patient received an additional PCSK9 inhibitor; no patients received ezetimibe. Only 3% of patients reached the LDL-C goal based on 2019 ESC/EAS guidelines. Underdiagnosis and undertreatment of FH in Russia underline the need for the intensification of FH detection with early and aggressive cholesterol-lowering treatment.

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 467-478
Author(s):  
Ye-Xuan Cao ◽  
Bing-Yang Zhou ◽  
Di Sun ◽  
Sha Li ◽  
Yuan-Lin Guo ◽  
...  

Aim: To investigated the potential differences between probable and definite heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) patients diagnosed by Dutch Lipid Clinic Network criteria. Methods: Clinical characteristics, lipid profile, severity of coronary artery stenosis and gene mutations were compared. Kaplan–Meier curve was performed to evaluate the cardiovascular events. Results: Overall, 325 participants were included and divided into two groups: probable (n = 233) and definite HeFH (n = 92). Definite HeFH patients had higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), oxidized-LDL and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 levels, and higher prevalence of tendon xanthomas. The incidence of genetic mutations was statistically higher in definite HeFH than probable HeFH patients. The coronary stenosis calculated by Gensini score was statistically severer in definite HeFH patients. The best LDL-C threshold for predicting mutations was 5.14 mmol/l. Definite HeFH had lower event-free survival rates. Conclusion: Definite HeFH patients had higher severity of phenotype and genotype, and higher risk of cardiovascular events.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (8) ◽  
pp. 1461-1464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlo Pirazzi ◽  
Federica Tavaglione ◽  
Åsa Tivesten ◽  
Stefano Romeo

Abstract In female-to-male transgender individuals, testosterone is used to induce masculinization. Sex steroid therapy may increase circulating triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and may decrease high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, resulting in a more atherogenic lipid profile. These potentially adverse effects of androgen therapy may be exacerbated by the presence of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). We describe the case of a transgender man with genetically diagnosed FH who was intolerant to statins and was started on a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor to control his lipoproteins more effectively. The 35-year-old female-to-male transgender individual was referred to our center with a history of elevated LDL-C levels. Despite treatment with high doses of high-potency statins and ezetimibe, he had never achieved a sustained reduction in LDL-C; his levels of LDL-C were fluctuating between 170 and 344 mg/dL (4.4 and 8.9 mmol/L). Moreover, he developed side effects to statins in the form of myalgia and discontinued statin treatment. At the Sahlgrenska Lipid Clinic, a genetic diagnosis of heterozygous FH was established, and PCSK9 inhibitor therapy was started. The patient’s LDL-C level has been reduced by approximately 40% for 23 months, and no adverse events have been reported.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-58
Author(s):  
Vana Kolovou ◽  
Niki Katsiki ◽  
Stamatis Makrygiannis ◽  
Sophie Mavrogieni ◽  
Nikoletta Karampetsou ◽  
...  

Aim: We evaluated the lipid-lowering (LL) effect of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors (PCSK9i) in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) treated with LL-drugs and lipoprotein apheresis (LA). Patients and Methods: The PCSK9i treatment (evolocumab 420 mg/4 weeks, alirocumab 150 mg/2 weeks, or alirocumab 75 mg/2 weeks: 9, 6, and 2 patients, respectively) was initiated in patients with HeFH (n = 17; aged 35-69 years, 10 men, previously treated with statins + ezetimibe ± colesevelam and LA sessions for 2-12 years). A lipid profile was obtained before and immediately after the LA session and before, 1 and 2 months after switching to PCSK9i treatment. The duration of PCSK9i therapy ranged from 3 to 18 months. Results: Median total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG) levels before LA were 268, 198, 46, and 126 mg/dL, respectively, and decreased (at the end of the LA session) to 117, 50, 40, and 51 mg/dL, respectively ( P < .001 for TC and P = .001 for all other comparisons). The median time-averaged LDL-C levels following LA were 155 (121, 176; median [25th, 75th percentile]) mg/dL. Median TC, LDL-C, and TG levels before PCSK9i therapy were 269, 190, and 127 mg/dL and decreased to 152, 100, and 95 mg/dL, respectively ( P = .002, P < .002, and P < .03, respectively). Steady LDL-C levels with PCSK9i treatment were significantly lower compared with time-averaged LDL-C levels following LA (median value: 100 vs 155 mg/dL; P = .008). With PCSK9i, from 13 patients with CHD, 6 (46.1%) patients achieved LDL-C <70 mg/dL, and 2 patients (15.4%) achieved LDL-C <100 mg/dL. Lipoprotein apheresis was discontinued in all patients except for 2 who continued once monthly. Conclusions: PCSK9i can reduce LDL-C more consistently over time compared with a transient decrease following LA in HeFH patients. PCSK9i therapy may reduce the frequency of LA. Larger trials are required to establish the clinical implications of PCSK9i in patients previously on LA.


2020 ◽  
pp. 204748732091580 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tahir Mahmood ◽  
Jessica Minnier ◽  
Matthew K Ito ◽  
Qian H Li ◽  
Andrew Koren ◽  
...  

Aims Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors consistently reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by 50–60% and lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) by 20–30%, but the mechanism of Lp(a) lowering remains unclear. If Lp(a) is cleared by the LDL receptor, similar to LDL-C, then one would expect PCSK9 inhibition to induce a concordant LDL-C/Lp(a) response in an approximately 2:1 ratio. We aim to determine the prevalence of discordant plasma LDL-C/Lp(a) response to the PCSK9 inhibitor alirocumab. Methods This is a post hoc, pooled analysis of 10 randomized controlled trials from the ODYSSEY Phase 3 clinical trial program for alirocumab. Patients enrolled in the trials were high cardiovascular risk and/or with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. The primary end point was prevalence of discordant LDL-C/Lp(a) response to alirocumab at 24 weeks. Discordant response was defined as LDL-C reduction >35% and Lp(a) reduction ≤10%, or LDL-C reduction ≤35% and Lp(a) reduction >10%. Results Of the 1709 patients in the pooled study cohort, 62.4% were male, and the mean age was 59.2 (SD: 11.0) years. Baseline mean LDL-C was 126.5 (SD: 46.3) mg/dL and baseline median Lp(a) was 46.9 (interquartile range: 21.8-89.0) mg/dL. Total prevalence of discordant LDL-C/Lp(a) response was 21.5% (12.6% with LDL-C >35% reduction and Lp(a) ≤10% reduction; 8.9% with LDL-C ≤35% reduction and Lp(a) >10% reduction). Baseline Lp(a) and familial hypercholesterolemia status did not affect discordance. Conclusion A high prevalence of discordant LDL-C/Lp(a) response was observed with alirocumab, further suggesting that PCSK9 inhibitor therapy with alirocumab reduces plasma Lp(a) through alternative pathways to LDL receptor clearance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming-Ming Liu ◽  
Jia Peng ◽  
Yuan-Lin Guo ◽  
Cheng-Gang Zhu ◽  
Na-Qiong Wu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Although the presence of physical signs [tendon xanthomas and/or corneal arcus (TX/CA)], are associated with the risk of coronary artery disease in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH), their relationship with genotypes and clinical characteristics has not been fully determined. This study aimed to examine the association of TX/CA with genetic mutation, lipid- and inflammation-related markers, the severity of coronary stenosis or calcification, and cardiovascular events (CVEs) in patients with HeFH. Methods LDLR, APOB, and PCSK9 genes were screened in 523 HeFH patients, and patients with TX/CA (n = 50) were 1:4 propensity score-matched to patients without TX/CA (n = 200) to adjust for age and sex. Laboratory markers (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 [PCSK9], lipoprotein(a) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hsCRP]), computed tomography angiography, coronary angiography, and follow-up for CVEs were performed. Results Patients with physical signs had significantly higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels; higher PCSK9 or hsCRP concentrations; more LDLR positive mutations; and higher prevalence of high tertiles of Gensini, SYNTAX and Jeopardy scores as well as coronary artery calcium scores than did those without. Over an average follow-up of 3.7 years, the incidence of CVEs was significantly higher in patients with TX/CA (log-rank p < 0.001). Patients with physical signs and mutation positivity had threefold higher risks of CVEs (adjusted hazard ratio 3.34, 95% confidence interval 1.04–10.72, p = 0.024). Conclusions Physical signs were associated with genotypes and phenotypes, and worse outcomes in patients with HeFH, suggesting that these signs may help in risk stratification in these patients.


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