Psychological issues and cognitive impairment in adults with familial hypercholesterolemia

A literature review about depression, anxiety, illness perception and neurocognitive impairment in adults with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) was performed. Through PubMed and PsycINFO published studies from 1980 until March 2017 were searched. Two papers assessed depression and anxiety. Four papers explored illness perception. Five studies assessed cognitive impairment. Mean depression and anxiety scores were within normal range. From the reviewed research, it can be concluded that deficits in executive functioning and memory appear in FH patients between 18 and 40 years old, and mild cognitive impairment in older than 50. The research in the field of the present review is relatively recent: all the studies have been published in the current century. Further research should be done using complete standardized neuropsychological assessment and brain imaging techniques. Studies exploring the possible influence of cognitive deficits on adherence should be conducted also.