Introduction
Methods
Study design and participants
Survey details
Statistical analysis
Results
Demographic characteristics
Characteristic | Participants (n = 221) |
---|---|
Experience in general practice, years | 15.0 (7.0–22.0) |
Monthly patient load | 334 ± 153 |
FH patients in practice | 5.0 (3.0–10.0) |
Practice setting | |
Group | 105 (47.5) |
Duo | 75 (33.9) |
Solo | 41 (18.6) |
Practice location | |
Rural | 122 (55.2) |
Metropolitan | 99 (44.8) |
Awareness
Question | Participants (n = 221) |
---|---|
Awareness | |
FH familiarity rated above average | 138 (62.4) |
Aware of FH guidelines | 202 (91.4) |
Aware of lipid disorder health institutes | 122 (55.2) |
Knowledge | |
Correctly defined FH | 185 (83.7) |
Correctly identified FH lipid profile | 194 (87.8) |
Correctly identified FH prevalence | 43 (19.5) |
Correctly identified FH transmission rate to first-degree relatives | 123 (55.7) |
Correctly identified genetic testing is not required for FH diagnosis | 57 (25.8) |
Correctly identified CVD risk in untreated FH patients | 30 (13.6) |
Correctly identified age of premature CVD in men | 28 (12.7) |
Correctly identified age of premature CVD in women | 61 (27.6) |
Practice | |
Assesses family history of CAD in patients with premature CAD | 194 (87.8) |
Screens lipid profile in close relatives of patients with FH | 156 (70.6) |
Performs screening for hypercholesterolaemia in children of families with premature CAD for age group: | |
– 0–6 years | 3 (1.4) |
– 7–12 years | 42 (19.0) |
– 13–18 years | 116 (52.5) |
– > 18 years | 34 (15.4) |
– Unknown | 26 (11.8) |
Has referred FH patients to health institutes for lipid disorders (when aware of them) | 104 (47.1) |
Preference | |
Considers general practitioners as suitable for early detection of FH and screening of first-degree relatives | 183 (82.8) |
Prefers alarming comment to be added to lipid profiles at risk for FH to enhance FH detection | 183 (82.8) |