Clinical reality and challenges with familial hypercholesterolemia patients management. 2024 results from the Regional Center for Rare Diseases (RCRD) Registry in Poland
Authors: Lewek J , Sosnowska B , Gach A , Adach W , Bielecka-Dabrowa A , Banach M 
Published: October 2024

Background

HeFH is one of the most prevalent genetic diseases significantly increasing the risk of CVD events and mortality. Despite new achievements with earlier diagnosis and new effective drugs, most of heFH patients do not achieve LDL-C goal and are still on residual CVD risk.

Purpose

We aimed to present the most recent data from the regional FH registry in Poland to show the challenges and reality of everyday clinical management with FH patients.

Methods

The registry is conducted at the RCRD in the 2nd largest, supraregional hospital in Poland. The main inclusion criteria were being phenotypically or genetically diagnosed with FH. Nonadherence was investigated based on detailed interview, monitoring the treatment’s effects and purchasing prescribed medications. For this analysis we investigated only adult FH patients from the registry. Due to small number of cases (n=5), patients treated with inclisiran were not included in this analysis.

Results

We included 142 consecutive heFH patients at mean age 45,8±14,9 years (min/max 18-75 years; 60% women). Mean BMI was 29.6±5.52 kg/m2, mean baseline TC was 282.9±80 mg/dl (the highest observed was 600 mg/dl), LDL-C 204.2±72.5 mg/dL (the highest observed -762 mg/dl), TG - 151.1±123.4 mg/dl, Lp(a) 37.6±41.5 mg/dl and HDL-C - 52.3±14.2 mg/dl. Most patients were diagnosed with LDLR (72%) or APOB (24%) mutations. High intensity statin therapy was used in 74.3% of patents, ezetimibe (mostly as a part of combination LLT) in 47.2%, and PCSK9 inhibitors in all those that met the reimbursement criteria – 25.6% of FH patients. Non-adherence to statin therapy and ezetimibe in the follow up of 2 years was 27%. In patients treated with statin therapy and ezetimibe mean achieved LDL-C was 153.6±82.82 mg/dl and on triple therapy - 64.5±43.73 mg/dl. Mean achieved LDL-C in the investigated population was 87.9±55.5 mg/dl. LDL-C goal was achieved in 39% of patients – in those treated with triple therapy with PCSK9 inhibitors it was 57.14%, and in those on statins and ezetimibe only 27.1%. Combination therapy of statins and ezetimibe did not significantly change baseline Lp(a) level (p=0.109), but when PCSK9 inhibitors were introduced the mean Lp(a) reduction by 34.2% (p=0.049) was observed. Based on the multivariable regression analysis, the following factors played the most important role for FH patients to be on LDL-C target: DLCN total score (OR 1.21, 95%CI: 1.04-1.40; p=0.013), DLCN category (10.39, 1.43-75.29; p=0.021), ezetimibe use (4.78, 1.15-19.92; p=0.031), and PCSK9 inhibitors use (4.56; 1.40-14.86; p=0.012).

Conclusions

FH patients in Poland are diagnosed definitely too late (45 years) and most of them are still not on LDL-C goal. Double and especially triple therapy significantly, even 5 times, increase the chance of achieving LDL-C goal, therefore PCSK9 inhibitors should be available for all FH patients, without the limitations existing currently e.g., within B101 drug program in Poland.