Knowledge and awareness of familial hypercholesterolaemia among physicians in south regions of Russian Federation

Abstract

Objective: to assess physician`s awareness, knowledge and practices of familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) in south regions of Russian Federation.
Materials and methods: a structured questionnaire was anonymously completed by physicians and specialists from Volgograd, Rostov and Kalmykia regions between January 2019 and April 2019. Questionnaire included diagnostic, inheritance, prevalence, cardiovascular risk, management practices and options on familial hypercholesterolaemia screening.
Results: of 184 physicians and other specialists surveyed, 40% were aware of the heritability, 31% of the prevalence, and 5% of the risk of cardiovascular disease relating to FH, 10% of the clear age threshold for premature coronary artery disease in males.Most of doctors considered cardiologists and geneticists more effective health professionals to detect FH with 42% preferring laboratory interpretative commenting to highlight individuals at risk of FH. Physicians identified appropriate cholesterol loweringdrugs as mono (67%) or combination therapies (42%). Only 37% of doctors were aware of specialist clinical services for lipid disorders in their geographic area.
Conclusion: physician`s awareness of prevalence, heredity of FH,high cardiovascular risk, diagnostic features and management practices and options on FH screening were suboptimal.Extensive and continuous medical education programs are required to close the gap in coronary prevention.