Long-term Compliance With Lipid-Lowering Medication After Genetic Screening for Familial Hypercholesterolemia

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Abstract
FAMILIAL hypercholesterolemia (FH) constitutes a common inherited disorder of lipoprotein metabolism with a prevalence of 1 in 400 to 500 persons in Western societies. The major risk conferred by FH is due to pronounced atherosclerosis leading to premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) and untimely death.1 With the introduction of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins), effective treatment of patients with FH has become feasible.2,3 It has become evident that aggressive reduction of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in these patients can even lead to true regression of arterial wall abnormalities and that such a treatment is well tolerated and safe.4,5 The identification and subsequent treatment of patients with FH have therefore become an important task in the prevention of CVD.