RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Cholesterol screening and family history of vascular disease.
JF Archives of Disease in Childhood
JO Arch Dis Child
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
SP 239
OP 242
DO 10.1136/adc.71.3.239
VO 71
IS 3
A1 E D Primrose
A1 J M Savage
A1 C A Boreham
A1 G W Cran
A1 J J Strain
YR 1994
UL http://adc.bmj.com/content/71/3/239.abstract
AB Hypercholesterolaemia is a major risk factor for the development of coronary heart disease (CHD). Early detection and management of hypercholesterolaemia could retard the atherosclerotic process. Given that CHD and hypercholesterolaemia cluster within families, a screening strategy based on a family history of vascular disease has been advocated. Serum total cholesterol concentrations were measured in a random stratified sample of 1012 children aged from 12-15 years old participating in a coronary risk factor surveillance study in Northern Ireland. Information about vascular disease in close family members was obtained by means of a questionnaire. The study population was divided into two groups according to total cholesterol values: (i) normal, < 5.2 mmol/l (n = 822) and (ii) raised, > or = 5.2 mmol/l (n = 190). A family history identified 63 out of 190 individuals with hypercholesterolaemia yielding a sensitivity of 33.2% and specificity of 71.5%. Our data indicated that a strategy whereby only children from high risk families are screened for hypercholesterolaemia is ineffective. While primary prevention emphasising a healthy diet for all is essential, the role of universal screening deserves further appraisal.