Underberg - Figure 9 - Family Screening Has Dramatically Increased Treatment Rates in the Netherlands
Why is the under-recognition of FH so important? It is important because increasing the treatment of FH requires increased recognition of the condition, and once a patient has been diagnosed with FH, the crucial next step should be screening in first degree relatives (known as cascade genetic screening) to identify additional family members at risk. Data from the Netherlands (Figure) shows that when cascade screening of family members occurs, the result is an increase in treatment rates for patients with FH. Thus screening results in proven improvement in treatment rates in patients with FH.
Underberg
J Clin Lipidol.
2012;
