Background and Aims

Data on familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) among patients with acute coronary syndrome are scarce and vary according to population.

We aimed to assess the prevalence and distribution of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) in Lithuanian patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods

The investigation was performed in a cohort of 4394 consecutive patients with MI from the Vilnius University Santaros Clinics during the 2005-2010 period. There were 1619 patients 40-60 years old. All patients were categorized into 4 groups according to their age: Group 1(40-45 years old) n=284, Group 2 (45-50 years old) n=346, Group 3 (50-55 years old) n=437 and Group 4 (55-60 years old) n=552. Based on the personal history of premature cardiovascular disease and LDL cholesterol concentration ≥ 4,9 mmol/l was used for likely FH phenotype diagnosis.

Results

The overall occurrence likely FH phenotype was 11.7% (n=190); in group 1 -13.4% (n=38, in group 2 - 12.7% (n=44), in group 3 – 12.1% (n=53) and group 4 – 10% (n=55). Prevalence of probable/definite FH was significantly higher in the youngest patient group (p=0.001); Were no statistically significant differences between groups in LDL levels (5,92 ±0,69 vs 5,68 ±0,64 vs 5,56 ±0,56 vs 5,76 ±0,72; respectively p= 0.081)

Conclusions

The prevalence of FH among Lithuanian patients with AMI appeared relatively common. Underdiagnosis and undertreatment of FH are still a big problem, which should arouse a widespread concern