TITLE:
The Prevalence of Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia among Adult Filipino Patients with Dyslipidemia at Universidad de Santa Isabel Health Services Department: An Observational Descriptive Prospective Study
AUTHORS:
Suzanne U. Jao-Sanchez, Ramon T. Caceres Jr., Shayne S. Calleja-Toledano
KEYWORDS:
Prevalence, Heterozygous, Familial Hypercholesterolemia, Adult, Filipino
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases,
Vol.13 No.7,
July
19,
2023
ABSTRACT: Objectives: It is to determine the prevalence of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) among adult
Filipino patients with dyslipidemia at Universidad de Santa Isabel Health
Services Department in one year. Methods: An observational
descriptive prospective study involves Filipino patients, aged 19 years and older,
with dyslipidemia. The Dutch Lipid Network (DLN) Criteria was used to diagnose
FH. Prevalence data and categorical variables were expressed as percentages,
while continuous variables were reported as mean and standard deviations. Results: 529 patients were included in the study. 302 were females, and 227 were males. 180 (34%) scored Unlikely, 100 (19%) scored
Probable, 185 (35%) scored Possible, and 64 (12%) were classified under
Definite Familial Hypercholesterolemia. Most of the patients diagnosed with definite FH did not have diabetes,
cerebrovascular disease (CVD), and coronary artery disease (CAD). The diagnosis was not affected by gender, BMI, smoking, and alcohol
consumption. Hypertension was significantly correlated to the diagnosis of FH,
as most of them were already hypertensive at diagnosis. It was noted that
hypertension, diabetes, CVD, and CAD were seen at an earlier age among patients
with definite FH. Conclusion: The prevalence of
heterozygous FH at 12% among dyslipidemia patients and 1.3% among the general
population was described for the first time in our region. This result should
raise the awareness of our healthcare providers that FH, which is a major risk
factor for premature CAD and CVD, exists, and early detection and management are important.