Miranda, BeatrizKafol, JanHumphries, Steve E.Freiberger, TomasMedeiros, Ana MargaridaSikonja, JakaAlves, Ana CatarinaGroselj, UrhBourbon, Mafalda2026-03-022026-03-022025-05-04http://hdl.handle.net/10400.18/11002Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disorder characterized by high cholesterol levels, and premature cardiovascular disease (CVD). The most used clinical diagnostic criteria to identify FH are the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network-(DLCN) and Simon Broome-(SB), being SB the only with specific criteria for children. This work aims to propose an adaptation of DLCN criteria, for children and young people (DLCN-PED) and assess the performance of this adaptation in the Portuguese and Slovenian FH registries. DLCN-PED includes data on clinical examinations, lipid profile, familial history of CVD and hypercholesterolemia. We propose that those with a DLCN-PED score3 should be referred for genetic testing. Index cases included were studied with an NGS panel including at least the three FH-causing genes prior to evaluation with DLCN-PED This work includes 1696 patients (Portugal=340, Slovenia=1356): 29% FH-positives (presenting likely pathogenic/pathogenic variants in FH genes), 71% FH-negatives (no detection of pathogenic variants). Individuals with variants of uncertain significance were not included. Scores had a range between 0-17, 58% presenting a score between 2-4. Across DLCN-PED scores, we observe a distribution overlap for both FH groups: FH-negatives from 0-8 and FH-positives from 0-17. Overall, DLCN-PED3 presents higher sensitivity compared to SB (93% vs 81%) and slightly lower specificity (55% vs 79%). DLCN-PED6 presents lower sensitivity compared to SB (67% vs 81%) but an enhanced specificity (91% vs 79%). The different analysis suggests that score cutoffs should be adapted according to the screening approach intended (sensitivity and specificity trade-off). Compared to DLCN, the DLCN-PED shows an improved performance (p-value=0.024). Given the crucial role of clinical diagnosis in FH identification, we have shown that the proposed DLCN-PED performs better than the general DLCN and is similar to SB with the advantage that is possible to personalize the cut offs and so it could improve FH assessment worldwide.engDLCN-PEDFamilial Hypercholesterolemia (FH)FH AssessmentDoenças Cardio e Cérebro-vascularesconference object