TY - JOUR
T1 - Sex Differences in Familial Hypercholesterolemia
AU - Klevmoen, Marianne
AU - Mulder, Janneke W.C.M.
AU - Roeters van Lennep, Jeanine E.
AU - Holven, Kirsten B.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023, The Author(s).
PY - 2023/11
Y1 - 2023/11
N2 - Purpose of Review: This review aims to summarize the existing research on sex differences in familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) across the lifespan. Recent Findings: From childhood onward, total- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in girls are higher than those in boys with FH. By the age of 30 years, women with FH have a higher LDL-C burden than men. In adulthood, women are diagnosed later than men, receive less lipid-lowering treatment, and consequently have higher LDL-C levels. An excessive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk is reported in young female compared to male FH patients. The periods of pregnancy and breastfeeding contribute to treatment loss and increased cholesterol burden. Summary: Earlier initiation of treatment, especially in girls with FH, and lifelong treatment during all life stages are important. Future research should aim to recruit both women and men, report sex-specific data, and investigate the impact of the female life course on cardiovascular outcomes. Future guidelines should include sex-specific aspects. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].
AB - Purpose of Review: This review aims to summarize the existing research on sex differences in familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) across the lifespan. Recent Findings: From childhood onward, total- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in girls are higher than those in boys with FH. By the age of 30 years, women with FH have a higher LDL-C burden than men. In adulthood, women are diagnosed later than men, receive less lipid-lowering treatment, and consequently have higher LDL-C levels. An excessive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk is reported in young female compared to male FH patients. The periods of pregnancy and breastfeeding contribute to treatment loss and increased cholesterol burden. Summary: Earlier initiation of treatment, especially in girls with FH, and lifelong treatment during all life stages are important. Future research should aim to recruit both women and men, report sex-specific data, and investigate the impact of the female life course on cardiovascular outcomes. Future guidelines should include sex-specific aspects. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85173702866
U2 - 10.1007/s11883-023-01155-6
DO - 10.1007/s11883-023-01155-6
M3 - Review article
C2 - 37815650
AN - SCOPUS:85173702866
SN - 1523-3804
VL - 25
SP - 861
EP - 868
JO - Current Atherosclerosis Reports
JF - Current Atherosclerosis Reports
IS - 11
ER -
