Hamad Bin Khalifa Universitys Takes Part in Global Study on Cholesterol Disorder

Doha, March 06 (QNA) - A faculty member at Hamad Bin Khalifa Universitys College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS) recently took part in a global clinical collaboration to study a life-threatening blood cholesterol disease, homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HoFH). Professor of Genomics and Precision Medicine and Interim Dean of CHLS Dr. Georges Nemer, participated in the study which has now been published in The Lancet - one of the highest impact medical journals globally. The study constituted the largest international cohort of HoFH patients to date, with 751 patients from 38 countries. Data was collected by the HoFH International Clinical Collaborators registry, the first and only such global registry initiated by physicians caring for HoFH patients in diverse healthcare settings. The objective was to assess the clinical and genetic characteristics, as well as the impact, of current practice on the health outcomes of HoFH patients globally. Current guidance about management and prognosis stems from small studies, mostly from high-income countries. Dr. Nemer explained their findings: "Analysis of the data clearly shows the need for improving patient care for those living with this severe, life-threatening condition. Worldwide, patients with HoFH are diagnosed too late, and are undertreated, and that places them at high premature risk of cardiovascular disease. HoFH patients require early diagnosis to start treatment and prevent avoidable complications, and this requires better screening and education." (QNA)