Genetics of familial combined hyperlipidemia

Complex disorders are caused by several environmental factors that interact with multiple genes. These diseases are common at the population level and constitute a major health problem in Western societies. Familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL) is characterized by elevated levels of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, or both. This disorder is estimated to be common in Western populations with a prevalence of 1% to 2%. In addition, 14% of patients with premature coronary heart disease (CHD) have FCHL, making this disorder one of the most common genetic dyslipidemias underlying premature CHD. Both genetic and environmental factors are suggested to affect the complex FCHL phenotype, but no specific susceptibility genes to FCHL have been identified. It is hoped that further analysis of the first FCHL locus and other new loci obtained in genome-wide scans will guide us to genes predisposing to this complex disorder.