This web-based assessment tool is an initial evaluation for your own reference. The results do not
indicate a diagnosis whatsoever. It should not be used to replace check-up with certified health
professionals.
Why is it important to use scoring system like DLCN for diagnosing Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH)?
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is underdiagnosed. The majority of patients remains
unidentified.1,2
Clinical diagnosis of FH may be difficult because the clinical phenotype overlaps with other
elevated LDL-C diseases.3
Genetic (DNA) diagnosis is usually the confirmatory test, but there is a challenge to decide
which individuals warrant DNA testing.3
Diagnostic scoring for FH is a PROACTIVE, COST-EFFECTIVE
and FEASIBLE way2,4 , especially in primary care settings, to
Screen for possible FH2
Guide the selection of patients for genetic (DNA) testing2
What is Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) Score?
The Dutch Lipid Clinical Network (DLCN) is a scoring criteria for diagnosing FH.
It has been recommended by the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) to identify people with FH.1
The DLCN score is a validated set of criteria based on1
Nordestgaard BG, et al. Familial hypercholesterolaemia is underdiagnosed and undertreated in the general population: guidance for clinicians to prevent coronary heart disease: consensus statement of the European Atherosclerosis Society. Eur Heart J. 2013; 34:3478a-3490a.
Ibrahim S, et al. Advances, gaps and opportunities in the detection of familial hypercholesterolemia: overview of current and future screening and detection methods. Curr Opin Lipidol. 2020;31(6):347-355.
Haralambos K, et al. Diagnostic scoring for familial hypercholesterolaemia in practice. Curr Opin Lipidol. 2016;27(4):367-74.
Brett T et al. Familial hypercholesterolaemia: challenges in primary care. Medicine Today. 2015;16(8):20-26.
Balder JW, et al. Lipid and lipoprotein reference values from 133,450 Dutch Lifelines participants: Age- and gender-specific baseline lipid values and percentiles. J Clin Lipidol. 2017;11(4):1055-1064.e6.
Balder JW, et al. Pediatric lipid reference values in the general population: The Dutch lifelines cohort study. J Clin Lipidol. 2018;12(5):1208-1216.
