Familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS) is a severe and ultra rare genetic disease, with a prevalence of approximately 1 in 1,000,000. Patients with FCS are unable to effectively breakdown dietary fats resulting in severe elevations in triglycerides in the blood, which can cause serious signs and symptoms including acute pancreatitis (which can be fatal), chronic daily abdominal pain, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hepatic steatosis, and cognitive issues (aka “brain fog”). FCS is often controlled by severely limiting dietary fat intake, which can reduce the risk of pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is a major life-threatening complication of FCS and can lead to other life-threatening conditions such as sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, hypovolemic shock, and renal failure.
Additional resources for learning more about Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome:
- Foundation of the National Lipid Association: https://www.learnyourlipids.com/
- Living with FCS: https://www.livingwithfcs.org/
- National Pancreas Foundation: https://pancreasfoundation.org/
