Jing Pang1, David R Sullivan2, Mariko Harada-Shiba3, Phillip Y A Ding4, Sheryl Selvey5, Shariq Ali5, Gerald F Watts6. 1. School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Western Australia, Australia. 2. Department of Biochemistry, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 3. Department of Molecular Innovation in Lipidology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Osaka, Japan. 4. Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yonghe Cardinal Tien Hospital, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan. 5. Genzyme, A Sanofi Company, Cambridge, MA, USA. 6. School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Western Australia, Australia; Lipid Disorders Clinic, Cardiometabolic Service, Department of Internal Medicine, Royal Perth Hospital, Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: gerald.watts@uwa.edu.au.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a dominantly inherited disorder characterized by high plasma cholesterol levels and a very high risk of early heart disease. The prevalence of FH is estimated to be at least 1:500, with at least 3.6 million individuals in the Asia-Pacific region. OBJECTIVE: To assess awareness, knowledge, and perception of FH among practicing physicians in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. METHODS: Physicians from 3 economically developed Asian countries were requested to anonymously complete a structured Internet-based survey regarding FH. This survey sought responses on the clinical description, inheritance, prevalence, cardiovascular disease risk, practices, and opinions on screening. RESULTS: Of 230 physicians surveyed, 47% were aware of the heritability, 27% of the prevalence, and 13% of the risk of cardiovascular disease relating to FH. The majority (70%) perceived themselves to have an above-moderate familiarity with FH. Primary care physicians (59%) and lipid specialists (41%) were perceived as the best providers for caring for FH, including cascade screening services, with a lesser role perceived for cardiologists, endocrinologists, and no significant role for nursing staff. Only 35% of physicians were aware of specialist clinical services for lipid disorders in their geographic area. CONCLUSION: Extensive education and training programs are required to complement the implementation of region-specific models of care for FH in Asia. Further enhancement of existing lipid services and facilities are also warranted to optimise service models.
BACKGROUND:Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a dominantly inherited disorder characterized by high plasma cholesterol levels and a very high risk of early heart disease. The prevalence of FH is estimated to be at least 1:500, with at least 3.6 million individuals in the Asia-Pacific region. OBJECTIVE: To assess awareness, knowledge, and perception of FH among practicing physicians in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. METHODS: Physicians from 3 economically developed Asian countries were requested to anonymously complete a structured Internet-based survey regarding FH. This survey sought responses on the clinical description, inheritance, prevalence, cardiovascular disease risk, practices, and opinions on screening. RESULTS: Of 230 physicians surveyed, 47% were aware of the heritability, 27% of the prevalence, and 13% of the risk of cardiovascular disease relating to FH. The majority (70%) perceived themselves to have an above-moderate familiarity with FH. Primary care physicians (59%) and lipid specialists (41%) were perceived as the best providers for caring for FH, including cascade screening services, with a lesser role perceived for cardiologists, endocrinologists, and no significant role for nursing staff. Only 35% of physicians were aware of specialist clinical services for lipid disorders in their geographic area. CONCLUSION: Extensive education and training programs are required to complement the implementation of region-specific models of care for FH in Asia. Further enhancement of existing lipid services and facilities are also warranted to optimise service models.
Authors: Mohammed Ali Batais; Turky H Almigbal; Aref A Bin Abdulhak; Hani B Altaradi; Khalid F AlHabib Journal: PLoS One Date: 2017-08-17 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Sam Mirzaee; Hashrul N Rashid; Odgerel Tumur; Jason Nogic; Kunal Verma; James D Cameron; Stephen J Nicholls; Arthur Nasis Journal: CJC Open Date: 2019-06-07