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Prince DS, Hoque S, Kim C, Maher S, Miller J, Chomley P, Pritchard-Jones J, Spruce S, McGarry N, Baker D, Elix P, Liu K, Strasser SI, Goodger B, Zekry A, McCaughan GW. Screening patients in general practice for advanced chronic liver disease using an innovative IT solution: The Liver Toolkit. Hepatol Commun 2024; 8:e0482. [PMID: 38934697 PMCID: PMC11213595 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Identifying patients with undiagnosed advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) is a public health challenge. Patients with advanced fibrosis or compensated cirrhosis have much better outcomes than those with decompensated disease and may be eligible for interventions to prevent disease progression. METHODS A cloud-based software solution ("the Liver Toolkit") was developed to access primary care practice software to identify patients at risk of ACLD. Clinical history and laboratory results were extracted to calculate aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index and fibrosis 4 scores. Patients identified were recalled for assessment, including Liver Stiffness Measurement (LSM) via transient elastography. Those with an existing diagnosis of cirrhosis were excluded. RESULTS Existing laboratory results of more than 32,000 adults across nine general practices were assessed to identify 703 patients at increased risk of ACLD (2.2% of the cohort). One hundred seventy-nine patients (26%) were successfully recalled, and 23/179 (13%) were identified to have ACLD (LSM ≥10.0 kPa) (10% found at indeterminate risk [LSM 8.0-9.9 kPa] and 77% low risk of fibrosis [LSM <8.0 kPa]). In most cases, the diagnosis of liver disease was new, with the most common etiology being metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (n=20, 83%). Aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index ≥1.0 and fibrosis 4 ≥3.25 had a positive predictive value for detecting ACLD of 19% and 24%, respectively. Patients who did not attend recall had markers of more severe disease with a higher median aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index score (0.57 vs. 0.46, p=0.041). CONCLUSIONS This novel information technology system successfully screened a large primary care cohort using existing laboratory results to identify patients at increased risk ACLD. More than 1 in 5 patients recalled were found to have liver disease requiring specialist follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S. Prince
- AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Liver Injury and Cancer Program, Centenary Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Gastroenterology and Liver, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Shakira Hoque
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, St George Hospital, Kogarah, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Christy Kim
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, St George Hospital, Kogarah, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Salim Maher
- AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, St George Hospital, Kogarah, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jane Miller
- Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network, Mascot, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Phoebe Chomley
- Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network, Mascot, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Janice Pritchard-Jones
- AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sally Spruce
- AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nathan McGarry
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, St George Hospital, Kogarah, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David Baker
- East Sydney Doctors Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Penelope Elix
- Fountain Street General Practice, Alexandria, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ken Liu
- AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Simone I. Strasser
- AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Brendan Goodger
- Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network, Mascot, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Amany Zekry
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, St George Hospital, Kogarah, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Geoffrey W. McCaughan
- AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Liver Injury and Cancer Program, Centenary Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Thiele M, Kamath PS, Graupera I, Castells A, de Koning HJ, Serra-Burriel M, Lammert F, Ginès P. Screening for liver fibrosis: lessons from colorectal and lung cancer screening. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 21:517-527. [PMID: 38480849 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-024-00907-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Many countries have incorporated population screening programmes for cancer, such as colorectal and lung cancer, into their health-care systems. Cirrhosis is more prevalent than colorectal cancer and has a comparable age-standardized mortality rate to lung cancer. Despite this fact, there are no screening programmes in place for early detection of liver fibrosis, the precursor of cirrhosis. In this Perspective, we use insights from colorectal and lung cancer screening to explore the benefits, challenges, implementation strategies and pathways for future liver fibrosis screening initiatives. Several non-invasive methods and referral pathways for early identification of liver fibrosis exist, but in addition to accurate detection, screening programmes must also be cost-effective and demonstrate benefit through a reduction in liver-related mortality. Randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm this. Future randomized screening trials should evaluate not only the screening tests, but also interventions used to halt disease progression in individuals identified through screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Thiele
- Centre for Liver Research, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Patrick S Kamath
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Isabel Graupera
- Liver Unit Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Antoni Castells
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Harry J de Koning
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Miquel Serra-Burriel
- Epidemiology, Statistics, and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Frank Lammert
- Department of Medicine II, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
- Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Pere Ginès
- Liver Unit Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
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Chan WK, Wong VWS, Adams LA, Nguyen MH. MAFLD in adults: non-invasive tests for diagnosis and monitoring of MAFLD. Hepatol Int 2024:10.1007/s12072-024-10661-x. [PMID: 38913148 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-024-10661-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the liver manifestation of a metabolic syndrome and is highly prevalent in the general population. There has been significant progress in non-invasive tests for MAFLD, from the diagnosis of fatty liver and monitoring of liver fat content in response to intervention, to evaluation of liver fibrosis and its change over time, and from risk stratification of patients within the context of clinical care pathways, to prognostication. Various non-invasive tests have also been developed to assess for fibrotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, which has emerged as an important diagnostic goal, particularly in the context of clinical trials. Non-invasive tests can be used to diagnose clinically significant portal hypertension so that intervention can be administered to reduce the risk of decompensation. Furthermore, the use of risk stratification algorithms can identify at-risk patients for hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance. Beyond the liver, various tests that evaluate cardiovascular disease risk, assess sarcopenia and measure patient reported outcomes, can be utilized to improve the care of patients with MAFLD. This review provides an up-to-date overview of these non-invasive tests and the limitations of liver biopsy in the management of patients with MAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wah-Kheong Chan
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Vincent Wai-Sun Wong
- Medical Data Analytics Centre, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Leon A Adams
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
- Department of Hepatology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Australia
| | - Mindie H Nguyen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA, USA
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Liu S, Chen X, Jiang X, Yin X, Fekadu G, Liu C, He Y, Chen H, Ni W, Wang R, Zeng QL, Chen Y, Yang L, Shi R, Ju SH, Shen J, Gao J, Zhao L, Ming WK, Zhong VW, Teng GJ, Qi X. LiverRisk score: An accurate, cost-effective tool to predict fibrosis, liver-related, and diabetes-related mortality in the general population. MED 2024; 5:570-582.e4. [PMID: 38554711 DOI: 10.1016/j.medj.2024.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Noninvasive and early assessment of liver fibrosis is of great significance and is challenging. We aimed to evaluate the predictive performance and cost-effectiveness of the LiverRisk score for liver fibrosis and liver-related and diabetes-related mortality in the general population. METHODS The general population from the NHANES 2017-March 2020, NHANES 1999-2018, and UK Biobank 2006-2010 were included in the cross-sectional cohort (n = 3,770), along with the NHANES follow-up cohort (n = 25,317) and the UK Biobank follow-up cohort (n = 17,259). The cost-effectiveness analysis was performed using TreeAge Pro software. Liver stiffness measurements ≥10 kPa were defined as compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD). FINDINGS Compared to conventional scores, the LiverRisk score had significantly better accuracy and calibration in predicting liver fibrosis, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.76 (0.72-0.79) for cACLD. According to the updated thresholds of LiverRisk score (6 and 10), we reclassified the population into three groups: low, medium, and high risk. The AUCs of LiverRisk score for predicting liver-related and diabetes-related mortality at 5, 10, and 15 years were all above 0.8, with better performance than the Fibrosis-4 score. Furthermore, compared to the low-risk group, the medium-risk and high-risk groups in the two follow-up cohorts had a significantly higher risk of liver-related and diabetes-related mortality. Finally, the cost-effectiveness analysis showed that the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for LiverRisk score compared to FIB-4 was USD $18,170 per additional quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained, below the willingness-to-pay threshold of $50,000/QALY. CONCLUSIONS The LiverRisk score is an accurate, cost-effective tool to predict liver fibrosis and liver-related and diabetes-related mortality in the general population. FUNDING The National Natural Science Foundation of China (nos. 82330060, 92059202, and 92359304); the Key Research and Development Program of Jiangsu Province (BE2023767a); the Fundamental Research Fund of Southeast University (3290002303A2); Changjiang Scholars Talent Cultivation Project of Zhongda Hospital of Southeast University (2023YJXYYRCPY03); and the Research Personnel Cultivation Program of Zhongda Hospital Southeast University (CZXM-GSP-RC125).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanghao Liu
- Center of Portal Hypertension, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nurturing Center of Jiangsu Province for State Laboratory of AI Imaging & Interventional Radiology (Southeast University), Nanjing, China; Basic Medicine Research and Innovation Center of Ministry of Education, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaohan Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xuanwei Jiang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaochun Yin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ginenus Fekadu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chuan Liu
- Center of Portal Hypertension, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nurturing Center of Jiangsu Province for State Laboratory of AI Imaging & Interventional Radiology (Southeast University), Nanjing, China; Basic Medicine Research and Innovation Center of Ministry of Education, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan He
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Huihui Chen
- Department of Ultrasound, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenjing Ni
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Ruiying Wang
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qing-Lei Zeng
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yuping Chen
- Center of Portal Hypertension, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nurturing Center of Jiangsu Province for State Laboratory of AI Imaging & Interventional Radiology (Southeast University), Nanjing, China; Basic Medicine Research and Innovation Center of Ministry of Education, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Nanjing, China
| | - Ling Yang
- Center of Portal Hypertension, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nurturing Center of Jiangsu Province for State Laboratory of AI Imaging & Interventional Radiology (Southeast University), Nanjing, China
| | - Ruihua Shi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Sheng-Hong Ju
- Center of Portal Hypertension, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nurturing Center of Jiangsu Province for State Laboratory of AI Imaging & Interventional Radiology (Southeast University), Nanjing, China; Basic Medicine Research and Innovation Center of Ministry of Education, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Shen
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Shunde), Foshan, China
| | - Jingli Gao
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, Kailuan General Hospital, Tangshan, Hebei, China
| | - Linhua Zhao
- Institute of Metabolic Diseases, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wai-Kit Ming
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Victor W Zhong
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Gao-Jun Teng
- Basic Medicine Research and Innovation Center of Ministry of Education, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Nanjing, China; Center of Interventional Radiology and Vascular Surgery, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Xiaolong Qi
- Center of Portal Hypertension, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nurturing Center of Jiangsu Province for State Laboratory of AI Imaging & Interventional Radiology (Southeast University), Nanjing, China; Basic Medicine Research and Innovation Center of Ministry of Education, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Nanjing, China.
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5
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EASL-EASD-EASO Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD). Obes Facts 2024:1-70. [PMID: 38852583 DOI: 10.1159/000539371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously termed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is defined as steatotic liver disease (SLD) in the presence of one or more cardiometabolic risk factor(s) and the absence of harmful alcohol intake. The spectrum of MASLD includes steatosis, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH, previously NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis and MASH-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This joint EASL-EASD-EASO guideline provides an update on definitions, prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment for MASLD. Case-finding strategies for MASLD with liver fibrosis, using non-invasive tests, should be applied in individuals with cardiometabolic risk factors, abnormal liver enzymes, and/or radiological signs of hepatic steatosis, particularly in the presence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) or obesity with additional metabolic risk factor(s). A stepwise approach using blood-based scores (such as FIB-4) and, sequentially, imaging techniques (such as transient elastography) is suitable to rule-out/in advanced fibrosis, which is predictive of liver-related outcomes. In adults with MASLD, lifestyle modification - including weight loss, dietary changes, physical exercise and discouraging alcohol consumption - as well as optimal management of comorbidities - including use of incretin-based therapies (e.g. semaglutide, tirzepatide) for T2D or obesity, if indicated - is advised. Bariatric surgery is also an option in individuals with MASLD and obesity. If locally approved and dependent on the label, adults with non-cirrhotic MASH and significant liver fibrosis (stage ≥2) should be considered for a MASH-targeted treatment with resmetirom, which demonstrated histological effectiveness on steatohepatitis and fibrosis with an acceptable safety and tolerability profile. No MASH-targeted pharmacotherapy can currently be recommended for the cirrhotic stage. Management of MASH-related cirrhosis includes adaptations of metabolic drugs, nutritional counselling, surveillance for portal hypertension and HCC, as well as liver transplantation in decompensated cirrhosis.
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Tacke F, Horn P, Wai-Sun Wong V, Ratziu V, Bugianesi E, Francque S, Zelber-Sagi S, Valenti L, Roden M, Schick F, Yki-Järvinen H, Gastaldelli A, Vettor R, Frühbeck G, Dicker D. EASL-EASD-EASO Clinical Practice Guidelines on the management of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). J Hepatol 2024:S0168-8278(24)00329-5. [PMID: 38851997 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.04.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously termed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is defined as steatotic liver disease (SLD) in the presence of one or more cardiometabolic risk factor(s) and the absence of harmful alcohol intake. The spectrum of MASLD includes steatosis, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH, previously NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis and MASH-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This joint EASL-EASD-EASO guideline provides an update on definitions, prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment for MASLD. Case-finding strategies for MASLD with liver fibrosis, using non-invasive tests, should be applied in individuals with cardiometabolic risk factors, abnormal liver enzymes, and/or radiological signs of hepatic steatosis, particularly in the presence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) or obesity with additional metabolic risk factor(s). A stepwise approach using blood-based scores (such as FIB-4) and, sequentially, imaging techniques (such as transient elastography) is suitable to rule-out/in advanced fibrosis, which is predictive of liver-related outcomes. In adults with MASLD, lifestyle modification - including weight loss, dietary changes, physical exercise and discouraging alcohol consumption - as well as optimal management of comorbidities - including use of incretin-based therapies (e.g. semaglutide, tirzepatide) for T2D or obesity, if indicated - is advised. Bariatric surgery is also an option in individuals with MASLD and obesity. If locally approved and dependent on the label, adults with non-cirrhotic MASH and significant liver fibrosis (stage ≥2) should be considered for a MASH-targeted treatment with resmetirom, which demonstrated histological effectiveness on steatohepatitis and fibrosis with an acceptable safety and tolerability profile. No MASH-targeted pharmacotherapy can currently be recommended for the cirrhotic stage. Management of MASH-related cirrhosis includes adaptations of metabolic drugs, nutritional counselling, surveillance for portal hypertension and HCC, as well as liver transplantation in decompensated cirrhosis.
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Chan WK, Petta S, Noureddin M, Goh GBB, Wong VWS. Diagnosis and non-invasive assessment of MASLD in type 2 diabetes and obesity. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2024; 59 Suppl 1:S23-S40. [PMID: 38813831 DOI: 10.1111/apt.17866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is currently the most common chronic liver disease and an important cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. It is strongly associated with type 2 diabetes and obesity. Because of the huge number of patients at risk of MASLD, it is imperative to use non-invasive tests appropriately. AIMS To provide a narrative review on the performance and limitations of non-invasive tests, with a special emphasis on the impact of diabetes and obesity. METHODS We searched PubMed and Cochrane databases for articles published from 1990 to August 2023. RESULTS Abdominal ultrasonography remains the primary method to diagnose hepatic steatosis, while magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction is currently the gold standard to quantify steatosis. Simple fibrosis scores such as the Fibrosis-4 index are well suited as initial assessment in primary care and non-hepatology settings to rule out advanced fibrosis and future risk of liver-related complications. However, because of its low positive predictive value, an abnormal test should be followed by specific blood (e.g. Enhanced Liver Fibrosis score) or imaging biomarkers (e.g. vibration-controlled transient elastography and magnetic resonance elastography) of fibrosis. Some non-invasive tests of fibrosis appear to be less accurate in patients with diabetes. Obesity also affects the performance of abdominal ultrasonography and transient elastography, whereas magnetic resonance imaging may not be feasible in some patients with severe obesity. CONCLUSIONS This article highlights issues surrounding the clinical application of non-invasive tests for MASLD in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wah-Kheong Chan
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Salvatore Petta
- Sezione di Gastroenterologia, PROMISE, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Department of Economics and Statistics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Mazen Noureddin
- Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - George Boon Bee Goh
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
- Medicine Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Vincent Wai-Sun Wong
- Medical Data Analytics Centre, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Tsochatzis EA, Valenti L, Thiele M, Péloquin S, Lazure P, Masson MH, Allen AM, Lazarus JV, Noureddin M, Rinella M, Tacke F, Murray S. Use of non-invasive diagnostic tools for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis: A qualitative exploration of challenges and barriers. Liver Int 2024. [PMID: 38634796 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Non-invasive tests (NITs) are underutilized for diagnosis and risk stratification in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), despite good accuracy. This study aimed to identify challenges and barriers to the use of NITs in clinical practice. METHODS We conducted a qualitative exploratory study in Germany, Italy, United Kingdom and United States. Phase 1 participants (primary care physicians, hepatologists, diabetologists, researchers, healthcare administrators, payers and patient advocates; n = 29) were interviewed. Phase 2 participants (experts in MASLD; n = 8) took part in a group discussion to validate and expand on Phase 1 findings. Finally, we triangulated perspectives in a hybrid deductive/inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS Four themes hindering the use of NITs emerged: (1) limited knowledge and awareness; (2) unclear referral pathways for patients affected by liver conditions; (3) uncertainty over the value of NITs in monitoring and managing liver diseases; and (4) challenges justifying system-level reimbursement. Through these themes, participants perceived a stigma associated with liver diseases, and primary care physicians generally lacked awareness, adequate knowledge and skills to use recommended NITs. We identified uncertainties over the results of NITs, specifically to guide lifestyle intervention or to identify patients that should be referred to a specialist. Participants indicated an ongoing need for research and development to improve the prognostic value of NITs and communicating their cost-effectiveness to payers. CONCLUSIONS This qualitative study suggests that use of NITs for MASLD is limited due to several individual and system-level barriers. Multi-level interventions are likely required to address these barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel A Tsochatzis
- UCL Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Royal Free Hospital and UCL, London, UK
| | - Luca Valenti
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Precision Medicine, Biological Resource Center Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Maja Thiele
- Center for Liver Research, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | | | | | | | - Alina M Allen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jeffrey V Lazarus
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH), New York, New York, USA
| | - Mazen Noureddin
- Houston Research Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Mary Rinella
- Prizker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Lin H, Lee HW, Yip TCF, Tsochatzis E, Petta S, Bugianesi E, Yoneda M, Zheng MH, Hagström H, Boursier J, Calleja JL, Goh GBB, Chan WK, Gallego-Durán R, Sanyal AJ, de Lédinghen V, Newsome PN, Fan JG, Castéra L, Lai M, Harrison SA, Fournier-Poizat C, Wong GLH, Pennisi G, Armandi A, Nakajima A, Liu WY, Shang Y, de Saint-Loup M, Llop E, Teh KKJ, Lara-Romero C, Asgharpour A, Mahgoub S, Chan MSW, Canivet CM, Romero-Gomez M, Kim SU, Wong VWS. Vibration-Controlled Transient Elastography Scores to Predict Liver-Related Events in Steatotic Liver Disease. JAMA 2024; 331:1287-1297. [PMID: 38512249 PMCID: PMC10958386 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.1447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Importance Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is currently the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. It is important to develop noninvasive tests to assess the disease severity and prognosis. Objective To study the prognostic implications of baseline levels and dynamic changes of the vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE)-based scores developed for the diagnosis of advanced fibrosis (Agile 3+) and cirrhosis (Agile 4) in patients with MASLD. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study included data from a natural history cohort of patients with MASLD who underwent VCTE examination at 16 tertiary referral centers in the US, Europe, and Asia from February 2004 to January 2023, of which the data were collected prospectively at 14 centers. Eligible patients were adults aged at least 18 years with hepatic steatosis diagnosed by histologic methods (steatosis in ≥5% of hepatocytes) or imaging studies (ultrasonography, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, or controlled attenuation parameter ≥248 dB/m by VCTE). Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was liver-related events (LREs), defined as hepatocellular carcinoma or hepatic decompensation (ascites, variceal hemorrhage, hepatic encephalopathy, or hepatorenal syndrome), liver transplant, and liver-related deaths. The Agile scores were compared with histologic and 8 other noninvasive tests. Results A total of 16 603 patients underwent VCTE examination at baseline (mean [SD] age, 52.5 [13.7] years; 9600 [57.8%] were male). At a median follow-up of 51.7 (IQR, 25.2-85.2) months, 316 patients (1.9%) developed LREs. Both Agile 3+ and Agile 4 scores classified fewer patients between the low and high cutoffs than most fibrosis scores and achieved the highest discriminatory power in predicting LREs (integrated area under the time-dependent receiver-operating characteristic curve, 0.89). A total of 10 920 patients (65.8%) had repeated VCTE examination at a median interval of 15 (IQR, 11.3-27.7) months and were included in the serial analysis. A total of 81.9% of patients (7208 of 8810) had stable Agile 3+ scores and 92.6% of patients (8163 of 8810) had stable Agile 4 scores (same risk categories at both assessments). The incidence of LREs was 0.6 per 1000 person-years in patients with persistently low Agile 3+ scores and 30.1 per 1000 person-years in patients with persistently high Agile 3+ scores. In patients with high Agile 3+ score at baseline, a decrease in the score by more than 20% was associated with substantial reduction in the risk of LREs. A similar trend was observed for the Agile 4 score, although it missed more LREs in the low-risk group. Conclusions and Relevance Findings of this study suggest that single or serial Agile scores are highly accurate in predicting LREs in patients with MASLD, making them suitable alternatives to liver biopsy in routine clinical practice and in phase 2b and 3 clinical trials for steatohepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huapeng Lin
- Medical Data Analytics Centre, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hye Won Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Terry Cheuk-Fung Yip
- Medical Data Analytics Centre, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Emmanuel Tsochatzis
- University College London Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Royal Free Hospital and UCL, London, United Kingdom
| | - Salvatore Petta
- Sezione di Gastroenterologia, PROMISE, University of Palermo, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bugianesi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Masato Yoneda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Ming-Hua Zheng
- MAFLD Research Center, Department of Hepatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Hannes Hagström
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Upper GI Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jérôme Boursier
- Hepato-Gastroenterology and Digestive Oncology Department, Angers University Hospital, Angers, France
- HIFIH Laboratory, SFR ICAT 4208, Angers University, Angers, France
| | - José Luis Calleja
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - George Boon-Bee Goh
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Wah-Kheong Chan
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Malaysia
| | - Rocio Gallego-Durán
- Digestive Diseases Unit and CIBERehd, Virgen Del Rocío University Hospital, Seville, Spain
| | - Arun J. Sanyal
- Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health, VCU School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Victor de Lédinghen
- Centre d’Investigation de la Fibrose Hépatique, Haut-Lévêque Hospital, University Hospital of Bordeaux, Pessac, France
| | - Philip N. Newsome
- National Institute for Health Research, Biomedical Research Centre at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jian-Gao Fan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Lab of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Shanghai, China
| | - Laurent Castéra
- Université Paris Cité, UMR1149 (CRI), INSERM, Paris, France; Service d’Hépatologie, Hôpital Beaujon, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Clichy, France
| | - Michelle Lai
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Stephen A. Harrison
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Pinnacle Clinical Research, San Antonio, Texas
| | | | - Grace Lai-Hung Wong
- Medical Data Analytics Centre, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Grazia Pennisi
- Sezione di Gastroenterologia, PROMISE, University of Palermo, Italy
| | - Angelo Armandi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Atsushi Nakajima
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Wen-Yue Liu
- Department of Endocrinology, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ying Shang
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
| | - Marc de Saint-Loup
- Hepato-Gastroenterology and Digestive Oncology Department, Angers University Hospital, Angers, France
| | - Elba Llop
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Kevin Kim-Jun Teh
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Carmen Lara-Romero
- Digestive Diseases Unit and CIBERehd, Virgen Del Rocío University Hospital, Seville, Spain
| | - Amon Asgharpour
- Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health, VCU School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Sara Mahgoub
- National Institute for Health Research, Biomedical Research Centre at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Clemence M. Canivet
- Hepato-Gastroenterology and Digestive Oncology Department, Angers University Hospital, Angers, France
- HIFIH Laboratory, SFR ICAT 4208, Angers University, Angers, France
| | - Manuel Romero-Gomez
- Digestive Diseases Unit and CIBERehd, Virgen Del Rocío University Hospital, Seville, Spain
| | - Seung Up Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Vincent Wai-Sun Wong
- Medical Data Analytics Centre, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Lai JCT, Wong VWS. Using NIS2+™ to identify at-risk MASH in clinical trials. J Hepatol 2024; 80:181-183. [PMID: 38013143 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jimmy Che-To Lai
- Medical Data Analytic Centre, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Vincent Wai-Sun Wong
- Medical Data Analytic Centre, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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11
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Bech KT, Lindvig KP, Thiele M, Castera L. Algorithms for Early Detection of Silent Liver Fibrosis in the Primary Care Setting. Semin Liver Dis 2024; 44:23-34. [PMID: 38262447 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1778127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
More than one-third of the adult world population has steatotic liver disease (SLD), with a few percent of individuals developing cirrhosis after decades of silent liver fibrosis accumulation. Lack of systematic early detection causes most patients to be diagnosed late, after decompensation, when treatment has limited effect and survival is poor. Unfortunately, no isolated screening test in primary care can sufficiently predict advanced fibrosis from SLD. Recent efforts, therefore, combine several parameters into screening algorithms, to increase diagnostic accuracy. Besides patient selection, for example, by specific characteristics, algorithms include nonpatented or patented blood tests and liver stiffness measurements using elastography-based techniques. Algorithms can be composed as a set of sequential tests, as recommended by most guidelines on primary care pathways. Future use of algorithms that are easy to interpret, cheap, and semiautomatic will improve the management of patients with SLD, to the benefit of global health care systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrine Tholstrup Bech
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Odense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark
- Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark
| | - Katrine Prier Lindvig
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Odense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark
- Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark
| | - Maja Thiele
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Odense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark
- Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark
| | - Laurent Castera
- Service d'Hépatologie, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP), Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France
- Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris Cité, UMR1149 (CRI), INSERM, Paris, France
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Yew KC, Wong SH, Wong VWS, Oon HH. Letter regarding "Waiting for the changes after the adoption of steatotic liver disease". Clin Mol Hepatol 2024; 30:118-120. [PMID: 37957811 PMCID: PMC10776288 DOI: 10.3350/cmh.2023.0472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kuo Chao Yew
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
| | - Sunny H. Wong
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Vincent Wai-Sun Wong
- Medical Data Analytics Centre, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Hazel H. Oon
- National Skin Centre and Skin Research Institute of Singapore (SRIS), Singapore
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