Autosomal recessive hypercholesterolaemia: long-term follow up and response to treatment

Autosomal recessive hypercholesterolaemia (ARH) is caused by mutations in ARH on chromosome 1p35-36, encoding a putative adaptor protein. Mutations in the gene prevent normal internalisation of the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor by cultured lymphocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages, but not skin fibroblasts. This newly identified disorder is characterised by severe hypercholesterolaemia, large tendon, tuberous and planar xanthomas and premature atherosclerosis. We describe long-term (9-23 years) follow up and response to treatment of eight subjects with ARH from four families (Turkish/Lebanese, Indian-Asian, English and Italian). The clinical phenotype of ARH is similar to that of classical homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) caused by mutations in the LDL-receptor gene but is more variable, less severe and is more responsive to lipid-lowering therapy with bile acid sequestrants and/or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. The latter reduced total serum cholesterol by up to 60% and the former by 20-35%. The cardiovascular complications of premature atherosclerosis seem to be delayed in some individuals and the involvement of the aortic root and valve are rarer in comparison with homozygous FH.