The ScreenPro FH Project is international project for improvement of complex care – screening, diagnosis and treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia in Central, Eastern and Southern Europe.
Basic information about the project
Rationale
The familial hypercholesterolemia is still, despite great recent progress, underestimated, under-diagnosed and undertreated, and it represents a significant problem as a common risk factor for the premature development of CHD.
Aim of the project
To develop a network of centres of excellence for patients with familial hypercholesterolemia in the region of Central Eastern and Southern Europe. The centres will optimise and unify the process of screening, diagnosis and effective treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia. An important part of the project lies in the educating and increasing awareness of familial hypercholesterolemia amongst the public as well as among physicians (GPs, internists, cardiologists, diabetologists). Since the new therapy of familial hypercholesterolemia is becoming available, it is necessary to identify the groups of patients, who can get the biggest profit from such treatment. Also, specific centres (networks in individual countries) must be prepared for initiation and performance of these modern therapies.
Methods
The situation in different countries as well as in the centres must be described. The number of patients is to be determined as well as recent treatments, reaching the goals for LDL-C as biochemical parameters are evaluated. In addition, a comparison of the centres will be performed.
As it is mentioned above, centres have to be well educated in providing the recent, modern therapy. The network will be locally responsible for reasonable treatment and use of the modern therapy, PCSK9-i included.
Targets
- The development and establishment of a functional network of lipid clinics/centres, taking care about patients with familial hypercholesterolemia and other severe hyperlipidemias and dyslipidemias (including paediatric patients).
- Creation of a short user-friendly recommendation for screening, diagnosis and the complex care of familial hypercholesterolemia.
- The development and establishment of a common web page along with a summary of recommendations, educational materials, and slide kits for all regions connected with the centres participating in the project.
- Improvement of screening in regions where centres are active/influential.
- Increasing awareness of familial hypercholesterolemia in participating regions.
- Better risk stratification of familial hypercholesterolemia patients.
- Increasing the number of patients at LDL-C goal.
- Finally, the database in individual countries will be established, on the same base in all project countries