Prevalence and clinical characteristics of familial hypercholesterolemia among Chinese patients undergoing coronary angiography due to angina-like chest pain

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence rate and clinical characteristics of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) in Chinese patients undergoing coronary angiography due to angina-like chest pain. Methods: From March 2011 to December 2016, a total of 9 908 consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography in Fuwai Hospital due to angina-like chest pain were enrolled. The age of enrolled patients was (56.6±11.1) years old, and 6 782 cases (68.4%) were male. The patients were divided into two groups: FH group (n=271) and non-FH group (n=9 637) according to the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network diagnostic criteria. A retrospective analyze was performed on the baseline features between the two groups including lipids levels, coronary artery disease (CAD) characteristics, and lipids-lowering treatments. Results: In the total cohort, the prevalence of definite/probable FH was 2.7% (271/9 908). The incidence of premature coronary artery disease (PCAD) (women < 60 years old, or men < 55 years old) was higher in patients with FH than that in patients without FH (70.2%(201/271) vs. 44.5% (4 287/9 637); χ(2)=93.738, P<0.001). Patients with FH had higher level of TC and LDL-C when compared with patients without FH ((6.74±2.48) mmol/L vs. (4.15±1.10) mmol/L; (4.53±2.39) mmol/L vs. (2.52±0.97) mmol/L; t=19.403, 22.233, P<0.001, respectively). Additionally, 84.9% (230/271) of FH patients were treated with statin at different intensities, but none of them achieved the LDL-C<2.6 mmol/L. Conclusions: Chinese patients with familial hypercholesterolemia not only showed a high presence of PCAD and higher lipids levels, but also exhibited a low rate of achievement of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol targets despite statin therapy. Our results thus highlight the importance of early diagnosis and intensive treatment of FH patients.