Jonathan Schofield1, See Kwok2, Michael France3, Nigel Capps4, Ruth Eatough3, Rahul Yadav5, Kausik Ray6, Handrean Soran7. 1. Cardiovascular Trials Unit, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK; Cardiovascular Research Group, Core Technologies Facility, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. 2. Cardiovascular Trials Unit, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK; Barlow Medical Centre, Manchester, UK. 3. Cardiovascular Trials Unit, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK. 4. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital NHS Trust, Telford, UK. 5. Cardiovascular Research Group, Core Technologies Facility, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. 6. Cardiovascular Sciences Research Centre, St George's Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK. 7. Cardiovascular Trials Unit, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK; Cardiovascular Research Group, Core Technologies Facility, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. Electronic address: hsoran@aol.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Untreated individuals with familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) are at increased risk of developing premature cardiovascular disease (CVD). Early diagnosis and treatment can result in a normal life expectancy. A recent survey commissioned by the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) reported a lack of awareness of FH in the general population. We conducted a survey to assess knowledge among healthcare professionals involved in the assessment and management of cardiovascular risk and disease in the United Kingdom. METHODS: A survey designed to assess knowledge of diagnostic criteria, risk assessment, the role of cascade screening, and management options for patients with FH was distributed to 1000 healthcare professionals (response rate 44.3%). The same survey was redistributed following attendance at an educational session on FH. RESULTS: 151 respondents (40.5%) reported having patients under their care who would meet the diagnostic criteria for FH, but just 61.4% recognized that cardiovascular risk estimation tools cannot be applied in FH, and only 22.3% understood the relative risk of premature CVD compared to the general population. Similarly, just 65.9% were aware of recommendations regarding cascade screening. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence and associated risk of FH continue to be underestimated, and knowledge of diagnostic criteria and treatment options is suboptimal. These results support the recent Consensus Statement of the EAS and production of quality standards by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Further work is required to formulate interventions to improve FH awareness and knowledge, and to determine the effect these interventions have on patient outcomes. Crown
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Untreated individuals with familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) are at increased risk of developing premature cardiovascular disease (CVD). Early diagnosis and treatment can result in a normal life expectancy. A recent survey commissioned by the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) reported a lack of awareness of FH in the general population. We conducted a survey to assess knowledge among healthcare professionals involved in the assessment and management of cardiovascular risk and disease in the United Kingdom. METHODS: A survey designed to assess knowledge of diagnostic criteria, risk assessment, the role of cascade screening, and management options for patients with FH was distributed to 1000 healthcare professionals (response rate 44.3%). The same survey was redistributed following attendance at an educational session on FH. RESULTS: 151 respondents (40.5%) reported having patients under their care who would meet the diagnostic criteria for FH, but just 61.4% recognized that cardiovascular risk estimation tools cannot be applied in FH, and only 22.3% understood the relative risk of premature CVD compared to the general population. Similarly, just 65.9% were aware of recommendations regarding cascade screening. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence and associated risk of FH continue to be underestimated, and knowledge of diagnostic criteria and treatment options is suboptimal. These results support the recent Consensus Statement of the EAS and production of quality standards by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Further work is required to formulate interventions to improve FH awareness and knowledge, and to determine the effect these interventions have on patient outcomes. Crown
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