The Demographic and Lifestyle Characteristics of Patients with Familial Hypercholesterolemia Referred to a Dyslipidemia Clinic: A Cross-Sectional Single-Center Study

Maryam Moshkani  Farahani; Danial Samiei  Nasr; Alireza  Nasiri; Mohamad javad  Soltanpour

doi:10.18502/jthc.v19i3.16862

Maryam Moshkani Farahani Atherosclerosis Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Danial Samiei Nasr Chronic Respiratory Diseases Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Alireza Nasiri Atherosclerosis Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mohamad javad Soltanpour Department of Clinical Laboratory and Molecular Diagnosis, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jthc.v19i3.16862

Keywords: Familial hypercholesterolemia; Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II; Dyslipidemia

Abstract

Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is one of the most prevalent dyslipidemia disorders. This study investigated the demographic and lifestyle characteristics of patients with FH referred to a dyslipidemia clinic.

Methods: This 5-year, single-center cross-sectional study focused on patients with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels higher than 190 mg/dL referred to a dyslipidemia clinic in Tehran, Iran, between 2017 and 2022. The study examined their demographics, physical activity, and anxiety within the FH cohort.

Results: A total of 1724 patients were referred to the dyslipidemia clinic. Of these patients, 44 were diagnosed with definite FH. The mean age and LDL-C level of the FH cohort were 38.84±16.85 years and 315.95±81.73 mg/dL, respectively. A significant correlation was found between LDL-C and body mass index (BMI) (correlation coefficient = -0.31, P=0.031) and total sleep duration (correlation coefficient = -0.40, P<0.000). No correlation was observed between age and physical activity or LDL-C levels. Additionally, no significant correlation was detected between the Dutch score and patients’ LDL-C, BMI, age, or physical activity. Regression analysis indicated that BMI and total sleep duration were independent predictors of LDL-C in the FH cohort.

Conclusion: Investigating and identifying patients’ demographic and lifestyle characteristics is the first step in planning efficient and effective management strategies for chronic diseases, such as FH. Establishing a patient registry for chronic diseases enhances understanding of the target population and enables healthcare providers to design and implement appropriate preventive and control strategies.