RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Evaluating the prevalence of lipid assessments in children in Alberta, Canada
JF CMAJ Open
JO CMAJ
FD Canadian Medical Association
SP E820
OP E825
DO 10.9778/cmajo.20220163
VO 11
IS 5
A1 Susan Christian
A1 Ross Ridsdale
A1 Mu Lin
A1 Michael Khoury
YR 2023
UL http://www.cmajopen.ca/content/11/5/E820.abstract
AB Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia is a common, inherited, life-threatening and treatable condition that is characterized by marked elevations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), resulting in a high risk of cardiovascular disease, but treatment starting in childhood dramatically reduces this risk. We sought to evaluate the prevalence of pediatric lipid assessments among children in Alberta.Methods: We reviewed laboratory and administrative data from Alberta Health between Apr. 1, 2012, and Dec. 31, 2021. We evaluated 2 pediatric cohorts (children aged 2–10 yr and children aged 9–17 yr) to allow for longitudinal assessments throughout the pediatric period. We also reviewed annual frequencies of lipid assessment for all children between 2013 and 2021.Results: Pediatric lipid assessments were performed for 1972 (4.3%) of 46 170 children aged 2–10 years and for 8158 (19.9%) of 40 926 children aged 9–17 years. Female children (aged 2–10 yr) and those living in rural communities were significantly less likely to have a lipid assessment, compared with male children and those in nonrural communities. Among those with lipid assessments, 23 (1.2%) and 86 (1.1%) children aged 2–10 years and 9–17 years, respectively, had an LDL-C level suggestive of probable familial hypercholesterolemia (≥ 4.0 mmol/L). Statin therapy was prescribed in 16 children during the study period. The frequency of lipid assessments was relatively stable, with the exception of a decrease in 2020.Interpretation: Rates of pediatric lipid assessment in Alberta are suboptimal. These findings highlight the need to increase awareness of the benefits of early diagnosis and treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia with regard to long-term health and identify and overcome barriers to diagnosis and treatment.