1. Genetic testing increases the likelihood of a diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolaemia among people referred to lipid clinics: Danish national study.
- Author
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Hedegaard, Berit Storgaard, Bork, Christian Sørensen, Kanstrup, Helle Lynge, Thomsen, Kristian Korsgaard, Heitmann, Merete, Bang, Lia Evi, Henriksen, Finn Lund, Andersen, Lars Juel, Gohr, Thomas, Mouridsen, Mette Rauhe, Soja, Anne Merete Boas, Elpert, Frank-Peter, Jakobsen, Tomas Joen, Sjøl, Anette, Joensen, Albert Marni, Nordestgaard, Børge Grønne, Klausen, Ib Christian, and Schmidt, Erik Berg
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GENETIC testing , *GENETIC disorder diagnosis , *MEDICAL screening , *FAMILIAL hypercholesterolemia , *LIPIDS , *DIAGNOSIS - Abstract
It is unclear to what extent genetic testing improves the ability to diagnose familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH). We investigated the percentage with FH among individuals referred to Danish lipid clinics, and evaluated the impact of genetic testing for a diagnosis of FH. From September 2020 through November 2021, all patients referred for possible FH to one of the 15 Danish lipid clinics were invited for study participation and >97% (n = 1488) accepted. The Dutch Lipid Clinical Network criteria were used to diagnose clinical FH. The decision of genetic testing for FH was based on local practice. A total of 1243 individuals were referred, of whom 25.9% were diagnosed with genetic and/or clinical FH. In individuals genetically tested (n = 705), 21.7% had probable or definite clinical FH before testing, a percentage that increased to 36.9% after genetic testing. In individuals with unlikely and possible FH before genetic testing, 24.4% and 19.0%, respectively, had a causative pathogenic variant. In a Danish nationwide study, genetic testing increased a diagnosis of FH from 22% to 37% in patients referred with hypercholesterolaemia suspected of having FH. Importantly, approximately 20% with unlikely or possible FH, who without genetic testing would not have been considered having FH (and family screening would not have been undertaken), had a pathogenic FH variant. We therefore recommend a more widespread use of genetic testing for evaluation of a possible FH diagnosis and potential cascade screening. [Display omitted] • Large nationwide study including all 1243 individuals referred to Danish lipid clinics for suspected FH in a 15 month period. • A total of 26% of the referred patients had FH despite only 705/1243 were genetically tested. • Genetic testing increased the diagnoses of FH from 22% to 37% in patients referred with hypercholesterolemia suspected of FH. • Approximately 20% with unlikely or possible FH according to DLCN criteria (before genetic testing) had causative FH mutations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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