4 research outputs found
2023 Update on European Atherosclerosis Society Consensus Statement on Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolaemia:New treatments and clinical guidance
This 2023 statement updates clinical guidance for homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HoFH), explains the genetic complexity, and provides pragmatic recommendations to address inequities in HoFH care worldwide. Key strengths include updated criteria for the clinical diagnosis of HoFH and the recommendation to prioritize phenotypic features over genotype. Thus, a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) >10 mmol/L (>400 mg/dL) is suggestive of HoFH and warrants further evaluation. The statement also provides state-of-the art discussion and guidance to clinicians for interpreting the results of genetic testing and for family planning and pregnancy. Therapeutic decisions are based on the LDL-C level. Combination LDL-C-lowering therapy - both pharmacologic intervention and lipoprotein apheresis (LA) - is foundational. Addition of novel, efficacious therapies (i.e. inhibitors of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9, followed by evinacumab and/or lomitapide) offers potential to attain LDL-C goal or reduce the need for LA. To improve HoFH care around the world, the statement recommends the creation of national screening programmes, education to improve awareness, and management guidelines that account for the local realities of care, including access to specialist centres, treatments, and cost. This updated statement provides guidance that is crucial to early diagnosis, better care, and improved cardiovascular health for patients with HoFH worldwide.</p
Reducing the Clinical and Public Health Burden of Familial Hypercholesterolemia A Global Call to Action
Q1Q1Artículo completoE1-E13IMPORTANCE Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an underdiagnosed and undertreated
genetic disorder that leads to premature morbidity and mortality due to atherosclerotic
cardiovascular disease. Familial hypercholesterolemia affects 1 in 200 to 250 people around
the world of every race and ethnicity. The lack of general awareness of FH among the public
and medical community has resulted in only 10% of the FH population being diagnosed and
adequately treated. The World Health Organization recognized FH as a public health priority
in 1998 during a consultation meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. The World Health Organization
report highlighted 11 recommendations to address FH worldwide, from diagnosis and
treatment to family screening and education. Research since the 1998 report has increased
understanding and awareness of FH, particularly in specialty areas, such as cardiology and
lipidology. However, in the past 20 years, there has been little progress in implementing the
11 recommendations to prevent premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in an entire
generation of families with FH.
OBSERVATIONS In 2018, the Familial Hypercholesterolemia Foundation and the World Heart
Federation convened the international FH community to update the 11 recommendations.
Two meetings were held: one at the 2018 FH Foundation Global Summit and the other during
the 2018 World Congress of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Health. Each meeting served as
a platform for the FH community to examine the original recommendations, assess the gaps,
and provide commentary on the revised recommendations. The Global Call to Action on
Familial Hypercholesterolemia thus represents individuals with FH, advocacy leaders,
scientific experts, policy makers, and the original authors of the 1998 World Health
Organization report. Attendees from 40 countries brought perspectives on FH from low-,
middle-, and high-income regions. Tables listing country-specific government support for
FH care, existing country-specific and international FH scientific statements and guidelines,
country-specific and international FH registries, and known FH advocacy organizations
around the world were created.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE By adopting the 9 updated public policy recommendations
created for this document, covering awareness; advocacy; screening, testing, and diagnosis;
treatment; family-based care; registries; research; and cost and value, individual countries
have the opportunity to prevent atherosclerotic heart disease in their citizens carrying a gene
associated with FH and, likely, all those with severe hypercholesterolemia as well
Impact of a mass media campaign to increase public awareness of hypertension
Objectives: We evaluated the effect of a nationwide media campaign on hypertension awareness in the population, which was implemented with the aim of spreading key messages related to optimal blood pressure levels and encouraging blood pressure measurements. Study design: A nationwide project called "12/8 Awareness Campaign" was implemented between October 2005 and January 2006 using all available mass and outdoor media aiming to improve the knowledge of people on normal blood pressure values and to encourage regular blood pressure measurements. Four survey questions to inquire the level of awareness related to optimal blood pressure levels, hypertension, and hypertension-related disease conditions were directed via face-to-face interviews to two separate samples representing the general Turkish population before (n=1716) and after (n=1725) the campaign, respectively. The answers of the pre- and post-campaign individuals were compared. Results: After the campaign, the percentage of participants who did not know their blood pressure levels decreased from 54.8% to 47.8%, the percentage of those who checked their blood pressure within the past two months increased from 34.3% to 39.6%, and the percentage of those who were aware of the optimal blood pressure levels rose from 51.8% to 58.6% (p<0.001). Conclusion: The campaign contributed significantly to the awareness of hypertension in general population, which is highly encouraging for future efforts for early detection of hypertension and prevention of related morbidity and mortality. © 2011 Turkish Society of Cardiology