Who to screen for hypercholesterolaemia

A modelling analysis by Marks and colleagues (p 1303) found that screening relatives of people with familial hypercholesterolaemia is a cost effective way of detecting cases, whereas blanket population screening is not. Hypercholesterolaemia is currently not diagnosed in 75% of people with the condition, and in many it is discovered only after the first coronary event. The estimated cost of family tracing was £3097 per life year gained (or £4914 with genetic confirmation). This represents good value for money compared with common medical interventions, and the authors say that pilot evaluation programmes should be conducted.

(Credit: BSIP VEM/SPL)

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Relevant Article

Cost effectiveness analysis of different approaches of screening for familial hypercholesterolaemia

Dalya Marks, David Wonderling, Margaret Thorogood, Helen Lambert, Steve E Humphries, and H Andrew W Neil
BMJ 2002 324: 1303. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]