A mechanism-based operational definition and classification of hypercholesterolemia

J Clin Lipidol. 2022 Nov-Dec;16(6):813-821. doi: 10.1016/j.jacl.2022.09.006. Epub 2022 Sep 30.

Abstract

In contrast to strong evidence-based clinical recommendations for lipid-lowering treatment, there is no analogous definitive diagnostic definition of hypercholesterolemia and its various subtypes. For many clinicians, guideline indications for hypolipidemic treatment can become broadly conflated with hypercholesterolemia in a non-specific sense. In this statement, we propose a unified definition and mechanism-based classification of hypercholesterolemia, which in turn should help to stratify patients and guide efficient diagnosis without interfering with the current strategies of ASCVD risk reduction.

Keywords: Classification; Definition; Familial hypercholesterolemia; Hypercholesterolemia.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Hypercholesterolemia* / diagnosis
  • Hypercholesterolemia* / drug therapy