Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) in Iran: Findings from the Four-Year FH Registry

Vaseghi, Golnaz; Taheri, Marzieh; Heshmat-Ghahdarijani, Kiyan; Rayati, Mohammad; Zarfeshani, Sonia; Pourmoghaddas, Ali; Khosravi, Alireza; Zarepour, Ehsan; Keshavarzrad, Parsa; Arabi, Sina; Azizi, Mohammadreza; Haghjooy Javanmard, Shaghayegh; Najafian, Jamshid; Sarrafzadegan, Nizal

doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/9913969

Journal of Lipids

On this page

Abstract Background Results Discussion Data Availability Disclosure Conflicts of Interest Acknowledgments References Copyright Related Articles

Research Article | Open Access

Volume 2021 | Article ID 9913969 | https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/9913969

Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) in Iran: Findings from the Four-Year FH Registry

Golnaz Vaseghi,^1,2Marzieh Taheri,²Kiyan Heshmat-Ghahdarijani,³Mohammad Rayati,¹Sonia Zarfeshani,⁴Ali Pourmoghaddas,⁴Alireza Khosravi,⁵Ehsan Zarepour,³Parsa Keshavarzrad,¹Sina Arabi,¹Mohammadreza Azizi,⁶and Shaghayegh Haghjooy Javanmard¹ et al.

Academic Editor: Matti Jauhiainen

Received28 Mar 2021

Revised24 May 2021

Accepted31 May 2021

Published11 Jun 2021

Abstract

Background. Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common autosomal dominant disease. Its diagnosis in Iran was uncommon. Iran registry of FH (IRFH) has been started from 2017 from Isfahan. In this study, we report the four-year FH registry. Methods. The Iran FH registry is an ongoing study which is followed by a dynamic cohort. It has been started from 2017. The patients are selected from laboratories due to high cholesterol level and who have history of premature cardiovascular disease. The Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) criteria are used for the detection of FH. Cascade screening is performed for detection of first-degree relative of patients. Results. Among the 997 individuals included in this registry, they were 522 (mean age year), 141 (mean age year), and 129 (mean age year) patients from laboratories, premature cardiovascular disease, and relatives, respectively. In total, 263 patients were diagnosed with probable or definite FH, and others were in the possible group. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) level was in the laboratory group and 54.9% of patients were on LLT treatment. In patients with premature cardiovascular disease and FH, the LDL level was and was on LLT treatment. The LDL concentration in the first relative of FH patients was and 45.7% of them are on LLT therapy. Conclusions. Most of FH patients were underdiagnosed and undertreated before their inclusion in the IRFH. Cascade screening helps in the improvement of diagnosis.

1. Background

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), the most frequent autosomal dominant disease, is caused by mutations in the LDL receptor (LDLR), Apo lipoprotein B (Apo B), or less frequently proprotein convertase Subtilisin/Kexin type 9 (PCSK9) genes [1]. FH is associated with a high level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and the risk of developing premature atherosclerotic events. However, the progression and severity of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among FH patients are not predictable [2]. A mutation in one allele of the mentioned genes causes heterozygous FH (HeFH) phenotypes; however, the mutation of two alleles causes a more severe homozygous FH (HoFH) phenotype; in this case, the blood level of LDL-C is very high [3].

Timely and effective diagnosis and lowering the level of serum LDL-C improve the life expectancy and reduce the risk of developing premature CVD in FH [4] patients. Despite the importance of early diagnosis, due to the differences in prevalence, ethnicity, and polygenicity [5] of FH, no international consensus approach still exists. Around 20% of estimated FH prevalent cases are diagnosed in most countries, and many of them are aware of their disease often after the first ASCVD event [1]. So, developing national FH registry plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and management of FH patients. In previous years, many published guidelines and consensus papers have an emphasis on the early FH screening programs and initiating lipid-lowering treatment (LLT) for FH population [6].

We established the Iran Registry of Familial Hypercholesterolemia (IRFH) in 2017, which was started from Isfahan, in central Iran. The IRFH aims to improve FH detection in Iranian patients with hyperlipidemia alone or accompanied with premature CVD. The registry consequently gets the patients’ relatives to be screened [7]. Before 2017, FH diagnosis was rare, and a small study showed that most of them did not achieve LDL-C goal [8]. This report describes the initial clinical characteristics of FH patients in Iran. Data has been obtained from IRFH.

2. Method

2.1. Study Population

FH registry (5) started in Isfahan from 2017 and is still ongoing. Ethical approval was obtained from the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences research ethics committee. The complete methodological approach has been explained elsewhere [7]. Briefly, the inclusion criteria were all subjects aged 2-80 years with and not using lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) or corrected [9] or patients with premature CVD (men less than 55 years and women less than 60 years old). The exclusion criteria were the secondary cause of hyperlipidemia and . To perform CASCADE screening, first-degree relatives of patients were invited. All the participants signed the consent forms.

2.2. Clinical and Laboratory Data Collection

Clinical examination was performed for evaluating the presence of tendon xanthoma, xanthelasma, or corneal arcus; they all asked about the previous history of premature CVD and family history of hyperlipidemia and premature CVD. All participants underwent a complete blood test consisting of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL-C, triglyceride (TG), fasting blood sugar (FBS), and total cholesterol (TC).

Diagnostic classification by clinical criteria was evaluated according to the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) criteria. In brief, people are divided into 4 categories: those with scores below 3 very unlikely have FH, scores above 8 are definitely affected by FH, scores between 6 and 8 probably suffer from FH, and scores between 3 and 5 possibly suffer from FH [10]. In cases of definite or probable FH, clinical diagnosis of FH (“clinical FH”) was made and CASCADE screening recommended in the first-degree relatives.

2.3. Statistical Analysis

Data were entered to EPI Info 7. For qualitative variables, data were shown as frequency (percentage), and for quantitative variables, data were shown as . All statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS statistics 25 software (IBM Corp. Released 2017. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 25.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.).

3. Results

Overall, 977 patients were registered in IRFH between 2017 and 2020. We present their results according to their recruitment type.

3.1. Characteristics of FH Patients Referred from Laboratories

The characteristics of 522 patients, who were screened according to their high LDL level from laboratories, are detailed in Table 1. The patients have been categorized by their Dutch score (66.9% with possible and 34.1% with definite/probable). The population was predominantly female (56.4%) with a mean age of 51 years. Overall, 29% had a family history of a cardiovascular event; however, it was 46.7% in the definite/probable group. Most of them never smoke (83%). The presence of Achilles tendon, xanthoma, and arcus cornealis was mostly observed in the definite/probable group (8.4%, 28%, and 4%, respectively). More than 27% have hypertension, while diabetes and history of CVD were observed in 17 and 18%, respectively.

LDL level was ; the highest LDL concentration was calculated in a definite group (). The concentration of total cholesterol was , and TG concentration was . The blood concentrations of HDL and non-HDL cholesterol were and , respectively. 54.9% of patients were on LLT treatment, 19.5% were on antihypertensive treatment, and 11.9% of them took antidiabetic medication.

3.2. Characteristics of FH Patients with Premature Coronary Vascular Disease

Table 2 shows the baseline characteristics of FH patients with premature CVD. Among the 425 patients, 86.6% were classified as possible FH, and 13.2% were classified as definite/probable. Males constitute 63.1%, and mean age is years. In total, 41% had a family history of premature CVD. 68% of patients never smoke. The presence of Achilles tendon, xanthoma, and arcus cornealis in the definite/probable group was as follows: 16.1%, 28.6%, and 1.8%. In general, 63.5% had hypertension, and 28.2% had been diagnosed with diabetes. LDL-C concentration was , , and in possible, probable, and definite group, respectively. Total cholesterol concentration was . The blood concentration of HDL was . As they all had history of premature CVD, most of them were on LLT (77.9%).

3.3. Characteristics of First Relatives with FH

Table 3 shows the result of cascade screening. Overall, 309 individuals were screened, and 129 were diagnosis with FH. The age of diagnosis in this group was . Xanthomas was detected in 47.1% of patients in the definite group, and 23.5% of patients in this group had the presence of Achilles tendon. Overall, 28.9% of patients had a history of CVD. The LDL concentration in this group was , and total cholesterol concentration was . However, less than half of them were on LLT (45.7%).

4. Discussion

IRFH is the first registry with comprehensive approach which examined all characteristics of FH patients in Iran. Within three years, we were able to identify 977 patients with FH from laboratories, hospitals, and cascade screening. The overall LDL-C was about 141, 91, and 155 mg/dl in patients from laboratories, with premature CVD and from families of FH patients, respectively. Most of the patients were categorized in the possible group. Our study demonstrates that FH patients were poorly diagnosed and managed before registration in IRFH. The mean age was 51 for patients from laboratories and premature CVD at the registry entry, and it was ten years younger during family screening, which emphasizes on cascade screening [11].

It has been suggested that FH prevalence is between 1 : 150 and 1 : 250 in some populations [1, 12]. If it is assumed that FH prevalence in Iran is 1 : 250, and 2000000 population of Isfahan, it can be concluded that we identified 3% in 12% with all above Dutch score of more than 3.

Worldwide several existing FH registries include patients based on either clinical or genetic diagnosis or both [13]. However, despite that, many FH patients are still underdiagnosed in many countries [1]. Different screening methods are used to detect FH patients, for example, screening of the general population or screening patients who are admitted to acute coronary units with premature myocardial infarction or family cascade screening of patients with FH [14]. In Isfahan registry, we identified suspected FH cases through laboratories, hospital systems, and also, family screening. The majority of patients were identified as possible FH in all three groups, according to the DLCN criteria. This could be because of clinical presentation such as tendon xanthomas or family history missing which leads to missclassification of FH patients. This has been observed in other registries, too [15].

Tendon xanthomas were present in less than 10% of patients which is lower than several other reports [16]. The low prevalence of xanthomas can be explained because of including patients with possible Dutch criteria in our cohort. In this registry, we reported premature arcus cornealis (diagnosed before age 45). As many patients were older than 45 years, the prevalence of arcus cornealis was low.

We investigated the prevalence of other nonlipid risk factors in this study, such as active smoking, BMI, HTN, and diabetes. The prevalence of hypertension was higher in patients with premature CVD (63%) compared with two other groups (27% and 20 5 in patients from laboratories and cascade screening 1, respectively). It seems that HTN is higher in our registry than individuals from the Iranian adult cohort (5%). The prevalence of diabetes was higher in FH patients with premature CVD compared with two other groups [17]. The rates of overweight were as follows in our three groups: 27, 27, and 26 kg/m in patients from laboratories, premature CVD, and cascade screening. However, the slight reduction in the last group may be because of younger age.

The risk of developing ASCVD in FH is more than seven times compared with normolipidemic individuals [18]. Early diagnosis and treatment initiation in FH patients are associated with reduced incidence of premature CVD. Data indicate that when promptly treated with statins, FH patients do not differ from the general population regarding CVD incidence Statins are the first-line therapy for FH [19] patients. In Isfahan registry, only 54% of patients from laboratories and about 80% of FH patients with premature CVD were on LLT, as expected that was lower in patients who were diagnosed with FH during cascade screening.

There were some limitations in our study; first, we were not able to access to primary LDL-C concentration of some patients, and in some cases, statin therapy could diminish the xanthomas. Second, in some cases, we could not assess the family history of patients which might underscore some patients. Third, we used a phenotypic diagnosis, and we could not perform the genetic test in the majority of patients; however, in our previous study, we showed the APOB mutation in our sample [20].

One of the most important messages from our study is FH registry should be expanded in other Iran cities. These local registries should aware general physicians and cardiologists to identify new cases. Our study revealed that FH relatives has a younger age than FH cases, similar to other studies, so early detection and cascade screening are the most important factors in the management of FH [1, 21].

In conclusion, our results showed that many FH patients are underdiagnosed and undertreated; FH in Greece is characterized by a significant delay in the diagnosis and a high prevalence of both family and personal history of established CVD. The vast majority of FH patients do not achieve LDL-C targets. Improved awareness and management of FH are definitely needed. Plans need to develop tools to support practice physicians to conduct clinics to ensure that the assessment and management of FH patients is ongoing. The FH cohort study has been started in Iran, and lipid level can be monitored [22].

Data Availability

The collection of data that supports the findings in this study is available from the Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in Isfahan Iran, but restrictions may apply to the availability of these data, which were used under license for the current study, and so are not publicly available. Data are however available from the authors upon reasonable request and with permission of Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute.

Disclosure

The funding agencies had no role in the design of the study. They played no role in collection, analysis, and interpretation of the data.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Mahdieh Laboratory, and also, we appreciate Mrs. Hajian and Mrs. Akbari for their kind collaboration. This work was partly supported by the National Institute for Medical Research Development (NIMAD) (research grant no. 97137). Additionally, this work was partly supported by Behestan Darou Company.

References

B. G. Nordestgaard, M. J. Chapman, S. E. Humphries et al., “Familial hypercholesterolaemia is underdiagnosed and undertreated in the general population: guidance for clinicians to prevent coronary heart disease: consensus statement of the European Atherosclerosis Society,” European Heart Journal, vol. 34, no. 45, pp. 3478–3490, 2013.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
R. Alonso, L. Perez de Isla, O. Muñiz-Grijalvo, J. L. Diaz-Diaz, and P. Mata, “Familial hypercholesterolaemia diagnosis and management,” European Cardiology Review, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 14–20, 2018.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
R. Fellin, M. Arca, G. Zuliani, S. Calandra, and S. Bertolini, “The history of autosomal recessive hypercholesterolemia (ARH). From clinical observations to gene identification,” Gene, vol. 555, no. 1, pp. 23–32, 2015.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
Ž. Reiner, “Management of patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia,” Nature Reviews Cardiology, vol. 12, no. 10, pp. 565–575, 2015.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
M. A. Austin, C. M. Hutter, R. L. Zimmern, and S. E. Humphries, “Genetic causes of monogenic heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: a HuGE prevalence review,” American Journal of Epidemiology, vol. 160, no. 5, pp. 407–420, 2004.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
S. S. Gidding, M. A. Champagne, S. D. de Ferranti et al., “The agenda for familial hypercholesterolemia: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association,” Circulation, vol. 132, no. 22, pp. 2167–2192, 2015.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
G. Vaseghi, S. Arabi, S. Haghjooy-Javanmard et al., “CASCADE screening and registry of familial hypercholesterolemia in Iran: rationale and design,” ARYA atherosclerosis, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 53–58, 2019.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
G. Vaseghi, M. Jamalin, S. Arabi, S. Kheiri, S. Hajian, and N. Sarrafzadegan, “Factors associated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia: results from Isfahan Familial Hypercholesterolemia Registry,” American Journal of Therapeutics, vol. 27, no. 2, pp. e227–e228, 2020.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
I. Ruel, S. Aljenedil, I. Sadri et al., “Imputation of baseline LDL cholesterol concentration in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia on statins or ezetimibe,” Clinical Chemistry, vol. 64, no. 2, pp. 355–362, 2018.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
H. WHO, Familial hypercholesterolemia: report of a second WHO consultation, WHO, Geneva, 1999.
J. Stock, “First insights from the EAS familial hypercholesterolaemia collaboration registry: FH is still underdiagnosed and undertreated,” Atherosclerosis, vol. 290, pp. 138-139, 2019.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
M. Benn, G. F. Watts, A. Tybjaerg-Hansen, and B. G. Nordestgaard, “Familial hypercholesterolemia in the Danish general population: prevalence, coronary artery disease, and cholesterol-lowering medication,” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, vol. 97, no. 11, pp. 3956–3964, 2012.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
M. I. Bellgard, C. E. Walker, K. R. Napier et al., “Design of the Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Australasia Network Registry: creating opportunities for greater international collaboration,” Journal of Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis, vol. 24, no. 10, pp. 1075–1084, 2017.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
R. M. Ned and E. J. Sijbrands, “Cascade screening for familial hypercholesterolemia (FH),” PLoS Currents, vol. 3, 2011.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
K. al-Rasadi, K. F. Alhabib, F. al-Allaf et al., “The gulf familial hypercholesterolemia registry (gulf FH): design, rationale and preliminary results,” Current Vascular Pharmacology, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 57–64, 2019.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
Z. S. Ahmad, R. L. Andersen, L. H. Andersen et al., “US physician practices for diagnosing familial hypercholesterolemia: data from the CASCADE-FH registry,” Journal of Clinical Lipidology, vol. 10, no. 5, pp. 1223–1229, 2016.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
N. Mohammadifard, M. Nazem, N. Sarrafzadegan et al., “Body mass index, waist-circumference and cardiovascular disease risk factors in Iranian adults: Isfahan healthy heart program,” Journal of Health, Population, and Nutrition, vol. 31, no. 3, pp. 388–397, 2013.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
M. Sharifi, R. D. Rakhit, S. E. Humphries, and D. Nair, “Cardiovascular risk stratification in familial hypercholesterolaemia,” Heart, vol. 102, no. 13, pp. 1003–1008, 2016.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
F. Mach, C. Baigent, A. L. Catapano et al., “2019 ESC/EAS Guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemias: lipid modification to reduce cardiovascular risk: the Task Force for the management of dyslipidaemias of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS),” European Heart Journal, vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 111–188, 2019.
View at: Google Scholar
G. Vaseghhi, Z. Malakoutikhah, Z. Shafiee et al., “Apolipoprotein B gene mutation related to familial hypercholesterolemia in an Iranian population: With or without hypothyroidism,” Journal of Research in Medical Sciences In press, 2021.
View at: Google Scholar
T.-H. Truong, D. L. Do, N. T. Kim, M. N. T. Nguyen, T. T. le, and H. A. le, “Genetics, screening, and treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia: experience gained from the implementation of the Vietnam Familial Hypercholesterolemia Registry,” Frontiers in Genetics, vol. 11, p. 914, 2020.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
J. Versmissen, D. M. Oosterveer, M. Yazdanpanah et al., “Efficacy of statins in familial hypercholesterolaemia: a long term cohort study,” BMJ, vol. 337, p. a2423, 2008.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar

Copyright

Copyright © 2021 Golnaz Vaseghi et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

PDF Download Citation

Download other formats

Order printed copies

Views

1625

Downloads

1489

Citations