Quality of life in patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia

Abstract

Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to analyse quality of life in adult patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH), a genetic disorder with increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Secondary aims were to find explanatory factors for quality of life and anxiety.

Design: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used.

Setting: Outpatients from lipid clinics at two university hospitals in Sweden were included. Patients with heterozygous FH and a randomly selected control group participated by filling out questionnaires.

Subjects: Two hundred and eighty patients with heterozygous FH above 18 years of age were asked, and 212 of whom 185 were free of overt CHD, participated. Of a control group of 2980 persons 1485 were included for comparison.

Methods: We used Likert-type questionnaires: the Quality of Life Index (QLI) consisting of four subscales, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), the Mastery Scale measuring coping and a questionnaire on health and lipids constructed for FH patients.

Results: Patients with FH were significantly more satisfied with overall quality of life 21.8 +/- 0.3 (SEM) vs. controls 21.1 +/- 0.1 and this was also the case in three of four subscales, all differences P < 0.05. Anxiety about getting CHD was expressed amongst 86% of the patients with FH.

Conclusions: Quality of life amongst patients with FH was at least as good as in controls but they were worried about getting CHD.