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Clinical versus molecular diagnosis of heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia in the diverse South African population
Abstract
Objective. Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a common genetic disease characterised by strikingly elevated. plasma cholesterol concentration, which can lead to premature coronary death if left untreated. In this study DNA diagnosis of FH, which allows detection before onset of clinical symptoms, was evaluated against biochemical parameters routinely used to identify subjects with FH.
Design. A population-based strategy was used to identify low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene defects in South Africans with clinical signs of FH, followed by a family-based DNA screening approach for presymptomatic diagnosis of FH.
Results. DNA screening of 790 at-risk relatives for the FHrelated mutations identified in 379 index cases, allowed accurate disease diagnosis in an additional 338 relatives and exclusion of the relevant mutation in 452 individuals. The sensitivity and speeifidty of the diagnosis, based on total cholesterol values measured in family members of FH heterozygous index cases with one of the three founderrelated mutations, D154N, D206E and V408M, were 89.3% and 81.9%, respectively.
Conclusion. The predominance of 10 LDLR gene mutations in the local population justifies population-directed D A diagnosis of FH in South Africa on a routine basis, particularly since expression of the defective gene measured in biochemical tests does not allow accurate diagnosis of FH in all cases. D A testing provides a definitive tool for family tracing aimed at pre-clinical diagnosis and preventive treatment of FH.
