Cited by 55Lipid metabolism and disordersLymphatic Disorders and TreatmentsLipoproteins and Cardiovascular Health

The burden of familial chylomicronemia syndrome: interim results from the IN-FOCUS study

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Davidson, Michael, Stevenson, Michael, Hsieh, Andrew, Ahmad, Zahid, Crowson, Caroline, Witztum, Joseph L·2017·Expert Review of Cardiovascular Therapy

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome (FCS) is a rare genetic disorder that is caused by a decrease or an absence of lipoprotein lipase activity. FCS is characterized by marked accumulation of chylomicrons and extreme hypertriglyceridemia, which have major effects on both physical and mental health. To date, there have been no systematic efforts to characterize the impact of chylomicronemia on FCS patients' lives. In particular, the impact of FCS on the burden of illness (BoI) and quality of life (QoL) has not been fully described in the literature. METHODS: IN-FOCUS was a comprehensive web-based research survey of patients with FCS focused on capturing the BoI and impact on QoL associated with FCS. Sixty patients from the US diagnosed with FCS participated. Patients described multiple symptoms spanning across physical, emotional and cognitive domains. RESULTS: Patients on average cycled through 5 physicians of varying specialty before being diagnosed with FCS, reflecting a lengthy journey to diagnosis Nearly all respondents indicated that FCS had a major impact on BoI and QoL and significantly influenced their career choice and employment status, and caused significant work loss due to their disease. CONCLUSION: FCS imparts a considerable burden across multiple domains with reported impairment on activities of daily living and QoL.

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  • Acute pancreatitis was reported by 42% of patients with FCS, making it the most common and potentially severe comorbidity.

    “Acute pancreatitis was reported by 42% of patients with FCS, making it the most common and potentially severe comorbidity.13”
  • A lack of familiarity with FCS among health care providers may be one reason patients with FCS report visiting at least 5 physicians (range 1-30) before receiving a diagnosis of FCS.

    “A lack of familiarity with FCS among health care providers may be one reason patients with FCS report visiting at least 5 physicians (range 1-30) before receiving a diagnosis of FCS. 13”
  • Other symptoms of FCS are recurrent pancreatitis, severe abdominal pain ranging from mild to incapacitating (with or without pancreatitis), hepatosplenomegaly, lipemic plasma, eruptive xanthomas, lipemia retinalis, and decreased quality of life.

    “Other symptoms of FCS are recurrent pancreatitis, severe abdominal pain ranging from mild to incapacitating (with or without pancreatitis), hepatosplenomegaly, lipemic plasma, eruptive xanthomas, lipemia retinalis, 1,14,15 and decreased quality of life.13”
  • The limitations imposed by the very-low-fat diet may negatively impact the overall quality of life and psychosocial well-being of patients with FCS.

    “As health care providers, it is important to remember we are treating individuals and asking them to follow a restrictive diet, and the limitations the diet imposes may negatively impact their overall quality of life and psychosocial well-being.13”
  • Other patients with FCS have reported reduced quality of life due to anxiety, fear, and worry about food and eating, symptoms, and overall health due to FCS.

    “Similar results have been reported by other patients with FCS, including reduced quality of life due to anxiety, fear, and worry about food and eating, symptoms, and overall health due to FCS. 13”

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Engel PA, Bagal S, Broback M, et al. Physician and patient percep- tions regarding physician training in rare diseases: the need for stronger educational initiatives for physicians. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2013;1(2):1-15.

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Authors
Davidson, M., Stevenson, M., Hsieh, A., Ahmad, Z., Crowson, C., & Witztum, J. L.
Affiliations
  • University of Chicago (US)
  • The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (US)
  • University of California San Diego (US)
Corresponding author
Stevenson, Michael
Venue
Expert Review of Cardiovascular Therapy
Published
2017-04-04
Volume
15
Issue
5
Pages
415-423
ISSN
  • 1477-9072 (ISSN-L)
  • 1744-8344
OpenAlex
W2601077308
Cited by
54
References
15
Citations by year
2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 5
FWCI
5.78
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Expert Review of Cardiovascular Therapy (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Akcea Therapeutics (N/A)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Lipid metabolism and disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Lymphatic Disorders and Treatments
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Lipoproteins and Cardiovascular Health
Keywords
familial chylomicronemia syndrome, lipoprotein lipase deficiency, hypertriglyceridemia, chylomicrons, disease burden, quality of life, career choice, delayed diagnosis
MeSH terms
Activities of Daily Living, Adult, Chylomicrons, Female, Humans, Hyperlipoproteinemia Type I, Male, Quality of Life, Hypertriglyceridemia, Cost of Illness

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