We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

Download Mobile App




Fatal Familial Cholesterol Disease Overlooked

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 04 Nov 2013
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common genetic cause of premature coronary heart disease (CHD), namely myocardial infarction and angina pectoris, due to lifelong elevated plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels.

Owing to severe underdiagnoses and under treatment of FH, there is an urgent worldwide need for diagnostic screening together with early and aggressive treatment of this extremely high-risk condition, which if once diagnosed, can readily be treated with cholesterol-lowering medication to attenuate development of atherosclerosis and to prevent CHD.

Clinical biochemists at the University of Copenhagen (Denmark) with their international collaborators, found that for a theoretical estimated prevalence of 1 in 500 for heterozygous FH, less than 1% are diagnosed in most countries. More...
Recently, direct screening in a Northern European general population diagnosed approximately 1 in 200 with heterozygous FH. All reported studies document failure to achieve recommended LDL cholesterol targets in a large proportion of individuals with FH, and up to 13-fold increased risk of CHD.

Based on prevalence between 1 in 500 and 1 in 200, between 14 and 34 million individuals worldwide have FH. The investigators recommend that children, adults, and families should be screened for FH if a person or family member presents with FH, a plasma cholesterol level in an adult of equal to or greater than 8 mmol/L (≥ 310 mg/dL) or a child with equal to or greater than 6 mmol/L (≥ 230 mg/dL), premature CHD, tendon xanthomas, or sudden premature cardiac death. The FH condition can be confirmed with a gene test.

In FH, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol targets are less than 3.5 mmol/L (<135 mg/dL) for children, and less than 2.5 mmol/L (<100 mg/dL) for adults, and less than 1.8 mmol/L (<70 mg/dL) for adults with known CHD or diabetes. M. John Chapman, PhD, DSc, a professor at the Pitié-Salpetriere University Hospital (Paris, France) and a senior author of the study said, “It is surprising and sad that even rich countries with highly developed health systems fail to help these people. It is not a question of economic resources, as the disease is easy to diagnose and inexpensive to treat.” The study was published online on August 15, 2013, in the European Heart Journal.

Related Links:

University of Copenhagen
Pitié-Salpetriere University Hospital



Gold Member
Antipsychotic TDM Assays
Saladax Antipsychotic Assays
3-Part Differential Hematology Analyzer
Swelab Alfa Plus Sampler
New
PlGF Test
Quidel Triage PlGF Test
New
DNA/RNA Extraction/Purification Kit
Nucleic Acid Extraction or Purification Kit
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








DIASOURCE (A Biovendor Company)

Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: CitoCBC is the world first cartridge-based CBC to be granted CLIA Waived status by FDA (Photo courtesy of CytoChip)

Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: CellLENS enables the potential precision therapy strategies against specific immune cell populations in the tissue environment (Photo courtesy of MIT)

New AI System Uncovers Hidden Cell Subtypes to Advance Cancer Immunotherapy

To produce effective targeted therapies for cancer, scientists need to isolate the genetic and phenotypic characteristics of cancer cells, both within and across different tumors. These differences significantly... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: Researchers Dr. Lee Eun Sook and Dr. Lee Jinhyung examine the imprinting equipment used for nanodisk synthesis (Photo courtesy of KRISS)

Multifunctional Nanomaterial Simultaneously Performs Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment, and Immune Activation

Cancer treatments, including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, have significant limitations. These treatments not only target cancerous areas but also damage healthy tissues, causing side effects... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.