Primary care practitioners survey of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Journal Title: Annals of Hepatology - Year 2013, Vol 12, Issue 5
Abstract
Background. The rising incidence of non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) mirrors the epidemics of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Primary care practitioners (PCPs) are central to management of patients with NAFLD, but data on knowledge and attitudes of PCPs towards NAFLD are lacking.Material and methods. We conducted a statewide, stratified survey of 250 PCPs to examine knowledge, practices and attitudes regarding NAFLD and the barriers to providing care for this condition.Results. NAFLD was perceived as an important health problem by 83% of PCPs. Eighty five percent of PCPs underestimated the population prevalence of NAFLD. Although the association of NAFLD with metabolic syndrome was identified by 91% of PCPs, only 46% screened diabetic obese patients for NAFLD. Only 27% of PCPs referred NAFLD patients to a hepatologist for evaluation. PCPs who reported seeing more than 5 NAFLD patients annually, referred to hepatology less frequently (P = 0.01). The majority of PCPs (58%) recommended weight loss and a calorie restriction. Only 8% of PCPs would recommend Vitamin E. The major perceived barrier in managing NAFLD was lack of confidence in understanding of the disease (58% of PCPs).Discussion. An overwhelming majority of PCPs perceived NAFLD as an important health issue in their practice. However, screening rates for NAFLD among obese diabetics were low. A major barrier to managing these patients was self-reported lack of knowledge about NAFLD. Development of guidelines should emphasize strategies for screening vulnerable populations (obese, diabetics), evidence based management and barriers to providing care.
Authors and Affiliations
Adnan Said, Veronika Gagovic, Kristen Malecki, Marjory L. Givens, F. Javier Nieto
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP78316
- DOI -
- Views 131
- Downloads 0
Serum natremia affects health-related quality of life in patients with liver cirrhosis: a prospective, single centre study
[b]Introduction[/b]. Hyponatremia is associated with high mortality and predicts hepatic encephalopathy but its effect on health-related quality of life remains to be established. [b]Material and methods[/b]. In this stu...
A rare case of idiopathic granulomatous hepatitis presenting as tumoral lesion detected by 18F-FDG-PET/CT
Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumour requiring live donor liver transplantation: case report and concise review
Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumours are rare tumours effecting relatively young patients. As metasta-tic neuroendocrine tumours to the liver are much more common, extensive investigations are crucial toexclude a prim...
Effects of combined genes of CTLA4Ig and IDO in post-liver transplantation immune tolerance of rats
Background and rationale for the study. Previous studies showed that CTLA4Ig and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) genes played regulatory role in organ transplantation but failed to reach satisfactory effects. In this...
The Expression of PNPLA3 Polymorphism could be the Key for Severe Liver Disease in NAFLD in Hispanic Population
Background. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) encompasses: fatty liver (SS), steatohepatitis (NASH) with or without fibrosis and cirrhosis. Patatine-like phosphatas in domain 3 (PNPLA3; adiponutrin; SNP rs738409 C...