Improving detection and management of familial hypercholesterolaemia in Australian general practice
Publication Details
Brett, T.,
Chan, D. C.,
Radford, J.,
Heal, C.,
Gill, G.,
Hespe, C.,
Vargas-Garcia, C.,
Condon, C.,
Sheil, B.,
Li, I. W.,
Sullivan, D. R.,
Vickery, A. W.,
Pang, J.,
Arnold-Reed, D. E.,
&
Watts, G. F.
(2021).
Improving detection and management of familial hypercholesterolaemia in Australian general practice.
Heart, 107 (15), 1213-1219.
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this article is to provide an evidence-informed summary of national guidelines and recent research to help clinicians reduce the risk of atherosclerotic CVD and improve health service delivery through improved lipid management strategies.
Methods: Medical records for 232139 patients who attended 15 general practices at least once in the previous 2years across five Australian States were first screened for potential risk of FH using an electronic tool (TARB-Ex) and confirmed by general practitioner (GP) clinical assessment based on phenotypic Dutch Lipid Clinic Network Criteria (DLCNC) score. Follow-up GP consultation and management was provided for patients with phenotypic FH.
Results: A total of 1843 patients were identified by TARB-Ex as at potential risk of FH (DLCNC score ≥5). After GP medical record review, 900 of these patients (49%) were confirmed with DLCNC score ≥5 and classified as high-risk of FH. From 556 patients subsequently clinically assessed by GPs, 147 (26%) were diagnosed with phenotypic FH (DLCNC score ≤6). Follow-up GP consultation and management for 77 patients resulted in a significant reduction in LDL-cholesterol (−16%, p<0.01). A higher proportion of these patients attained the treatment target of 50% reduction in LDL-cholesterol (74% vs 62%, p><0.001) and absolute levels of LDL-cholesterol goals compared with baseline (26% vs 12%, p><0.01). A higher proportion of these patients attained the treatment target of 50% reduction in LDL-cholesterol (74% vs 62%, p<0.001) and absolute levels of LDL-cholesterol goals compared with baseline (26% vs 12%, p><0.001) and absolute levels of LDL-cholesterol goals compared with baseline (26% vs 12%, p<0.05).
Conclusions: A pragmatic approach integrating electronic medical record tools and clinical GP follow-up consultation is a feasible method to identify and better manage patients with FH in the primary healthcare setting.
Trial registration number: 12616000630415.
Keywords
cardiac risk factors and prevention, hypercholesterolaemia, detection and management, Australia
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