Key result
FH is ~10-fold more prevalent in IHD than the general population.
Why the study?
Overall worldwide prevalence estimates of familial hypercholesterolemia in subjects with ischemic heart disease, premature ischemic heart disease, and severe hypercholesterolemia compared with the general population were not available.
Population
104 studies in nonfounder populations across the general population, IHD, premature IHD, and severe hypercholesterolemia
Comparison
FH prevalence in IHD, premature IHD, and severe hypercholesterolemia vs the general population
Design
Systematic review and random-effects meta-analyses
Authors
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Captured external expert commentary on this paper, strongest first. Original sources are linked where available.
“For the first time, we have been able to show the true scale of FH in terms of its global prevalence and how well it is being managed. Many healthy people may be living their lives unaware they have an underlying genetic condition which puts them at significantly higher risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular disease, independent of their lifestyle factors.”
Supports targeted FH screening in IHD and severe hypercholesterolemia; extends prior prevalence estimates with global meta-analysis.
Meta-Analysis (n=11,054,833)
Yes
Absolute Event Rate: 3.2% vs 0.32%
Familial hypercholesterolemia is 10- to 23-fold more prevalent in patients with ischemic heart disease or severe hypercholesterolemia compared to the general population (1:313), highlighting the need for targeted screening.
Beheshti et al. (2020) conducted a meta-analysis in Familial hypercholesterolemia (n=11,054,833). Ischemic heart disease vs. General population was evaluated on Prevalence of familial hypercholesterolemia. Compared with 0.32% in the general population, familial hypercholesterolemia prevalence was 3.2% in ischemic heart disease, 6.7% in premature IHD, and 7.2% in severe hypercholesterolemia.
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