Possible Heterozygous Hypercholesterolemia Among Adults in Basrah, Southern Iraq

TL;DR

This study found a significant number of adults in Basrah with high LDL cholesterol, suggesting possible HeFH, and highlights the need for awareness and genetic confirmation.

Contribution

The study reports the prevalence of possible HeFH in Basrah, Iraq, using a large dataset and emphasizes the need for genetic confirmation and family screening.

Findings

6.9% of 59,026 individuals had LDL-C ≥190 mg/dL, indicating possible HeFH.

361 individuals (0.6%) met criteria for very high total cholesterol using MEDPED criteria.

Diabetes and obesity were highly prevalent among those with elevated LDL-C.

Abstract

Background

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant disease and is one of the most prevalent genetic disorders. We aimed to determine the prevalence of patients with elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), presumptively indicating possible heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH).

Methods

Retrospective data analysis was conducted for adult patients aged 18 and above with fasting LDL-C ≥ 190 mg/dL registered in Faiha Specialized Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolism Center (FDEMC) in Basrah for the period from August 2008 to December 2023. The total number of enrolled individuals was 59,026.

Results

From the data records of the 59,026 individuals enrolled in the study, it was found that 4,093 (6.9 %) had LDL-C levels ≥190 mg/dL and 361 (0.6 %) had very high total cholesterol according to the Make Early Diagnosis to Prevent Early Death (MEDPED) Criteria. Around 30,527 (51.7 %) were aged 40-59 years, representing the peak age group. Women comprised 34,688 (58.8 %), and 42,310 (71.7 %) had diabetes mellitus. Individuals with obesity comprise 27,375 (48.8 %). Out of the 4,093 patients with LDL-C ≥190 mg/dL, 2,422 (59.2 %) were in the 40-59 years age group, and 2,847 (69.6 %) were women. Diabetes was found in 3,442 (84.1 %) patients and obesity in 1,954 (49.9 %) patients. The average blood pressure was higher in the individuals with LDL-C ≥190 (137/83 versus 134/82 respectively, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Being one of the largest studies of its kind in the country, the percentage of individuals who might meet the criteria for having possible HeFH in Basrah (Southern Iraq) should raise awareness about the size of the problem in the country, both to encourage family screening programs and to broaden the need for lipid-lowering therapies. Future studies are needed to have further clarifications about the differences in the prevalence between sexes and age groups. These findings need further confirmation by genetic studies including LDL-receptor mutations.

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