A multi-society Delphi consensus statement on the diagnosis of familial chylomicronemia syndrome

Familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS) is an autosomal recessive disorder that affects approximately 1 to 10 individuals per million and is caused by variants in the genes encoding for the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) enzyme. In addition to its heterogeneous clinical presentation, FCS is characterized by a higher risk of life-threatening, recurrent acute pancreatitis and type 3 diabetes. Since available evidence on FCS in Latin America is limited, there is a clear need for a consensus document that provides relevant recommendations to guide the management of suspected cases and optimize disease diagnosis across the region.

A panel of specialists from Latin America with extensive experience in the diagnosis of chylomicronemia was invited to participate in the creation of this document. The modified Delphi technique was used to reach group consensus through multiple rounds of questionnaires using statistical techniques and controlled feedback. Results and discussion: Seventeen recommendations on diagnosis of FCS were generated. This consensus reflects the collaborative efforts of Latin American scientific societies and is essential to suspect and diagnose FCS. The organizations that support this document, including Sociedad Argentina de Lípidos, Federación Argentina de Sociedades de Endocrinología, Fundación Bioquímica Argentina, Corporación Grupo Chileno de Trabajo en Ateroesclerosis, Asociación Colombiana de Endocrinología, Diabetes y Metabolismo, Departamento de Aterosclerose da Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiología, and Sociedad Mexicana de Nutrición y Endocrinología, are a robust support network that might aid the adoption of these recommendations in local healthcare systems.