| 1 |
Plasma LDL-cholesterol as a predictor of FH mutations |
To select a level of plasma LDL-cholesterol that has the highest sensitivity and specificity in predicting a mutation in different countries. |
The data will inform a simple screening test for FH, based on LDL-cholesterol measurement, for use in primary care and where genetic testing is not available. |
| 2 |
Prevalence of FH in community populations |
To assess the prevalence of FH in adult and childhood populations. |
The data will emphasize the public health problem presented FH, including the shortfalls in detection and treatment. This will inform screening programs for FH in the community. |
| 3 |
Knowledge and practices of Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) concerning FH |
To determine awareness, knowledge and practices regarding FH in PCPs; and conduct a comparison across the centres in the region. |
Defining the role of PCPs in the care of FH is essential for developing multi-disciplinary and integrated total quality management. Assessing current knowledge and practices is the starting point. The information also will be employed to design effective teaching and training modules for PCPs in the detection and management of FH. |
| 4 |
Comparison of services and facilities for the care of FH |
To describe and compare existing health services, facilities and resources for the care in FH in the region. |
The study will provide international benchmarking of performance in health care for FH. It will identify and promote successful strategies within a context that takes into account cultural, economic and logistic differences and create opportunities for implementing country-specific or region-specific models of care for FH. |
| 5 |
Patient perceptions and personal experiences of FH |
To investigate the association between patients' psychological factors and key behavioural and clinical outcome variables salient to the management of FH; and conduct a comparison across the centres in the region. |
The study will identify the key psychological factors associated with compliance and patient decisions. The factors can then be used as a basis for behavioural interventions to promote better treatment compliance and patient decisions. |
