title: Knowledge gaps in the management of familial hypercholesterolaemia. A UK based survey.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  
  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.
  
  
  
  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.
  
  
  
  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.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Trials Unit, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK; Cardiovascular Research Group, Core Technologies Facility, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schofield
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Trials Unit, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK; Barlow Medical Centre, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: See
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kwok
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Trials Unit, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: France
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital NHS Trust, Telford, UK.
authors.forename: Nigel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Capps
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Trials Unit, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Eatough
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Research Group, Core Technologies Facility, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Rahul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yadav
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Sciences Research Centre, St George's Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: Kausik
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ray
authors.affiliation: 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.
authors.forename: Handrean
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Soran
mesh_terms: D002309:Cardiology / Q000379:methods; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D058005:General Practitioners; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D006938:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008403:Mass Screening; D010820:Physicians; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D008078:Cholesterol, LDL
keywords: CVD; Education; FH; Familial hypercholesterolaemia; Knowledge; LDL-C; Survey