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Incidental diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolaemia in a mother–daughter pair: the underdiagnosis of the disease highlighting the need for universal screening
  1. Udara Dilrukshi Senarathne1,2,3,
  2. Zhong Xian Lu1,2,
  3. Andra Prastama Desra1,
  4. Justin Brown4,5,
  5. Stephen James Nicholls6,7 and
  6. James Clifford Gowar Doery1,2
  1. 1Department of Chemical Pathology, Monash Health Pathology, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  2. 2Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  3. 3Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
  4. 4Department of Paediatrics, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  5. 5Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  6. 6Monash Heart, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  7. 7Monash Victorian Heart Institute, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  1. Correspondence to Dr Udara Dilrukshi Senarathne; udara.senarathne{at}sjp.ac.lk; udara.senarathne{at}monash.edu

Abstract

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a common yet underdiagnosed genetic disorder of low-density lipoprotein metabolism leading to premature cardiovascular disease. Most FH individuals are only diagnosed later in their adulthood, missing the critical window for pre-emptive treatment. The absence of clinical manifestations until adulthood and poor awareness by medical and general communities contribute to this unmet clinical need. This case report describes a mother–daughter pair diagnosed with FH after hypercholesterolaemia was incidentally detected in the daughter during an evaluation for obesity. This underscores the importance of increasing awareness among primary care physicians about the clinically silent nature of FH. As the first point of contact for patients, they play a vital role in identifying potential FH cases during routine clinical encounters. Simultaneously, efforts should focus on developing a cost-effective universal screening programme.

  • Ischaemic heart disease
  • Lipid disorders
  • Congenital disorders
  • Pathology

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Footnotes

  • Contributors The conception and design of the manuscript were done by UDS and JCGD. UDS, JCGD, ZXL, APD, JB and SJN, participated in the acquisition of data and interpretation of investigation results. UDS and APD drafted the article and JCGD, ZXL, JB and SJN critically revised it. All the authors approved the final version published. UDS is responsible for the overall content as guarantor.

  • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

  • Case reports provide a valuable learning resource for the scientific community and can indicate areas of interest for future research. They should not be used in isolation to guide treatment choices or public health policy.

  • Competing interests None declared.

  • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.