GUILDFORD, England,
July 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --
New survey
shows two out of five GPs unde
restimate the prevalence of FH
Sanofi UK, with the endorsement of HEART UK-The Cholesterol
Charity, has today launched a new campaign to help break family
cycles of early heart disease and death from Familial
Hypercholesterolaemia (FH). Heart of the Family aims
to increase awareness of FH to encourage earlier diagnosis and
testing of family members as prompt diagnosis and appropriate
treatment can help save
lives.[1]
(Logo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150713/235439LOGO )
FH is a treatable, genetic condition characterised by abnormally
high cholesterol levels from birth, which affects approximately 1
in 500 people in the UK; about the same number of children and
young people under 19 years old are affected by type 1
diabetes.[2],[3]
However, 85% of people with FH remain undiagnosed and untreated,
putting them at increased risk of premature heart disease and
death.[2],[4]
A new online survey of 150 UK GPs, commissioned by Sanofi, shows
that two out of five (39%) under-estimated the prevalence of FH and
a further third (33%) recognise that there is a need for increased
awareness among GPs.[5]
"FH is a silent assassin and too often goes undetected until
it's too late," said Dr Sarah
Jarvis, GP and past chair of the Healthcare Committee at
HEART UK. "The Heart of the Family campaign aims to drive
earlier diagnosis, testing and appropriate treatment to ultimately
save lives from preventable heart disease."
Jules Payne, Chief Executive of
HEART UK - the Cholesterol Charity said: "FH is an inherited
condition which leads to exceptionally high cholesterol levels,
often double or three times those of the general population. It is
not caused by an unhealthy lifestyle, but is passed from generation
to generation through a "faulty" gene. Early diagnosis and
effective treatment reduces the risk of heart disease and can help
ensure that people with FH have a normal life expectancy."
According to the GP survey, although approximately two thirds of
GPs (68%) said they feel somewhat confident about identifying FH,
many were unclear about who to refer for testing and
when.[5] Only just over half (53%)
would refer patients and their first generation relatives for
confirmation of diagnosis and DNA
testing.[5] This dropped to less
than one in ten (7%) for second generation relatives and just 1%
would refer third generation
relatives.[5] In addition, only
one in five GPs surveyed (20%) correctly identified that children
who may have FH should be tested before age
10.[5]
The clinical indicators of FH include abnormally high
cholesterol levels, a family history of high cholesterol or early
heart disease and in some cases fatty deposits that can appear
under the eyes or in the
eyelids.[6] Most people with FH
have inherited a defective gene from at least one parent and
therefore will have had high cholesterol levels from
birth.[1]
Dr Sarah Jarvis explains: "FH is
not caused by an unhealthy lifestyle, but is passed from generation
to generation through a faulty or altered gene. Siblings and
children of someone with FH have a 50% risk of inheriting it
themselves, but it can also affect second and third generation
relatives, so it is therefore vital that family members are tested
for FH as early as possible."
If left untreated, approximately 50% of men and 30% of women
with FH will have developed heart disease by the time they are 50
and 60 years old respectively due to a life-long exposure to
high cholesterol.[2] Following a
diagnosis of FH, treatment includes prescription of
cholesterol-lowering medications along with dietary and lifestyle
advice.[2],[4]
"Preventing premature heart disease and death, which can
devastate families across generations, is possible if FH is
diagnosed and treated early," said Dr David
Williams, Medical Director, Sanofi. "That's why we want to
encourage people to be aware of FH and ensure they know their
cholesterol levels."
How to get involved:
- Share our videos - visit http://www.heartofthefamily.co.uk to
hear family stories about living with FH and commentary from Dr
Sarah Jarvis. This website is
developed and funded by Sanofi
- If you or your family have a history of high cholesterol, heart
disease or early heart attacks or strokes, visit your doctor to get
your cholesterol tested
Notes to Editors
About Heart of the Family
The Heart of the Family Campaign aims to increase
awareness of, and testing for, hereditary high cholesterol; a
disease known as Familial Hypercholesterolaemia or FH. It will do
this through:
- Sharing family stories of living with FH - these can be viewed
at http://www.heartofthefamily.co.uk
- Encouraging earlier presentation, diagnosis and referral for
testing of appropriate family members
The Heart of the Family Campaign is developed and funded
by Sanofi UK, with the endorsement of HEART UK - The Cholesterol
Charity.
About Sanofi
Sanofi, a global healthcare leader, discovers, develops and
distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients' needs.
Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with seven
growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative
drugs, consumer healthcare, emerging markets, animal health and
Genzyme. Sanofi is listed in Paris
(EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York
(NYSE: SNY).
About HEART UK - The Cholesterol
Charity
Providing support, guidance and education services to healthcare
professionals and people and families with concerns about
cholesterol - see more at: http://www.heartuk.org.uk
References
- Heart UK. Familial Hypercholesterolaemia. Available at:
http://heartuk.org.uk/fh-familial-hypercholesterolemia [Last
accessed 22 April 2015].
- NICE, Identification and management of familial
hypercholesterolaemia. Clinical Guidelines 71. 2008.
guidance.nice.org.uk/cg71 [Last accessed April 2015].
- Diabetes UK : facts and stats. Care Connect Campaign,
Version 3, revised March 2014.
Available at :
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/Documents/About%20Us/Statistics/Diabetes-key-stats-guidelines-April2014.pdf
(last accessed June, 2015)
- Heart UK. Familial Hypercholesterolaemia. Treatment for
Familial Hypercholesterolaemia: FH Facts and Figures. Available at:
http://heartuk.org.uk/fh-familial-hypercholesterolemia/treatment-for-familial-hypercholesterolaemia-fh
[Last accessed April, 2015].
- Sanofi data on file, May 2015,
reference number: SAGB.CMR.15.05.0643
- The British Heart Foundation in association with Heart UK,
2014. Life with Familial Hypercholesterolaemia. Available at:
http://heartuk.org.uk/files/uploads/FINAL_COPY2014_Life_with_Familial_Hypercholesterolaemia.pdf
[Last accessed 22 April, 2015].
Contacts:
Sanofi
Olivia Bailey / Tessa Duggleby
Tel: +44-(0)1483-554212
Email: Olivia.Bailey@sanofi.com /
Tessa.Duggleby@sanofi.com
Red Door Unlimited
Abigail Thomson / Lucy Thornton Jones
Tel: +44-(0)20-8392-8049 / +44-(0)20-8392-6091
Email: athomson@reddoorunlimited.com /
lthorntonjones@reddoorunlimited.com