Author(s)

Suzanne U. Jao-Sanchez, Ramon T. Caceres Jr., Shayne S. Calleja-Toledano

Internal Medicine Department, Universidad de Santa Isabel Health Services Department, Naga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines.

Objectives: It is to determine the prevalence of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) among adult Filipino patients with dyslipidemia at Universidad de Santa Isabel Health Services Department in one year. Methods: An observational descriptive prospective study involves Filipino patients, aged 19 years and older, with dyslipidemia. The Dutch Lipid Network (DLN) Criteria was used to diagnose FH. Prevalence data and categorical variables were expressed as percentages, while continuous variables were reported as mean and standard deviations. Results: 529 patients were included in the study. 302 were females, and 227 were males. 180 (34%) scored Unlikely, 100 (19%) scored Probable, 185 (35%) scored Possible, and 64 (12%) were classified under Definite Familial Hypercholesterolemia. Most of the patients diagnosed with definite FH did not have diabetes, cerebrovascular disease (CVD), and coronary artery disease (CAD). The diagnosis was not affected by gender, BMI, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Hypertension was significantly correlated to the diagnosis of FH, as most of them were already hypertensive at diagnosis. It was noted that hypertension, diabetes, CVD, and CAD were seen at an earlier age among patients with definite FH. Conclusion: The prevalence of heterozygous FH at 12% among dyslipidemia patients and 1.3% among the general population was described for the first time in our region. This result should raise the awareness of our healthcare providers that FH, which is a major risk factor for premature CAD and CVD, exists, and early detection and management are important.

Prevalence, Heterozygous, Familial Hypercholesterolemia, Adult, Filipino

Jao-Sanchez, S. , Caceres Jr., R. and Calleja-Toledano, S. (2023) The Prevalence of Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia among Adult Filipino Patients with Dyslipidemia at Universidad de Santa Isabel Health Services Department: An Observational Descriptive Prospective Study. World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases, 13, 377-395. doi: 10.4236/wjcd.2023.137036.