Role of Doctor Consultation in Annual Medical Check-ups Patients with hypercholesterolemia (FH), a common genetic condition, have high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in their blood, and earlier treatment inhibits coronary heart disease; thus, the importance of identifying FH to its prevention is emphasised. This modification prevents the body from eliminating the type of cholesterol that can accumulate in the arteries and cause cardiovascular disease. The low rate of diagnosis is a problem in many countries around the world, including Japan, systems to detect FH are required. The primary care settings, such as the general medicine/practice department where patients first consult for various health problems, including asymptomatic individuals with abnormal laboratory data, would play a significant role in the diagnosis of FH. Annual medical check-ups (community-based mass examination, special health check-ups, human dock) appear to be a potential opportunity to suspect FH in the primary care setting. We used the International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC) criteria to survey the reasons for the first visit of patients who were consecutively recruited at our hospital's general medicine department between 2015 and 2019. The ICPC-2 is used internationally to classify patients' foremost concerns in primary care. The systemic ethics committee approved the study (No. 2020-018). As a result, among the top complaints of first-time patients (n = 3,491 in 2015 and n = 2,640 in 2019), In 2015, the prevalence of "abnormal laboratory data" was 13.9% (n = 486), and in 2019, it was 8.6% (n = 223). In both years, the most common chief complaint was "abnormal laboratory data." In terms of the specifics of abnormal laboratory data, the prevalence of "dyslipidaemias" was 17.7% in 2015 and 40.5% in 2019. LDL-cholesterol levels of 180 mg/d were prevalent in 23.3% of dyslipidaemia patients in 2015 and 41.3% in 2019. LDL-cholesterol levels of 200 mg/dL were found in 7.0% of people in 2015 and 15.2% of people in 2019. Almost all of the patients were referred to our hospital by doctors performing annual medical check-ups, and FH was not strongly recommended in such cases at the time they were referred. We could recognise FH based on the clinical background and administered statins in cases with LDL-cholesterol levels of 180 mg/dL (three cases in 2015 and 11 cases in 2019).Annual medical check-ups are common in Japan, and they may provide an opportunity to identify FH from our survey. However, when FH is asymptomatic and/or at an early stage, and FH is not mentioned in regular care, patients may not visit hospitals. Because Japan's medical care system has unique features, such as free access to healthcare providers on the first visit, not only general practitioners but also specialists (e.g., ophthalmologists, dermatologists, plastic surgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, etc.) must be educated on the identification of FH. Consultation systems, in which general practitioners and specialists with little experience and knowledge in FH-related areas can collaborate with FH specialists, are also required. Furthermore, according to our survey, collaboration with doctors involved in annual medical check-ups should be strengthened, for example, by more education on FH and feedback on FH diagnosis to such doctors.

“Journal of Tourism and Hospitality: International peer reviewed journal” has assembled renowned scientists together in the Editorial board in order to ensure quality and originality in the manuscripts.

The Journal publishes Original research, Review articles, Case reports, Short communications, Mini reviews, Book reviews, etc., aimed at encapsulating the latest knowledge that synthesizes new theories and methodologies and also explores the leading-edge technology used in various research methodologies.

Best Regards
Margaret Jones
Journal of Tourism & Hospitality
ISSN: 2167-0269