Primary care practitioners survey of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease



Título del documento: Primary care practitioners survey of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Revue: Annals of hepatology
Base de datos: PERIÓDICA
Número de sistema: 000415650
ISSN: 1665-2681
Autores: 1
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Instituciones: 1University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin. Estados Unidos de América
Año:
Periodo: Sep-Oct
Volumen: 12
Número: 5
Paginación: 758-765
País: México
Idioma: Inglés
Tipo de documento: Artículo
Enfoque: Analítico, descriptivo
Resumen en inglés 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
Disciplinas: Medicina
Palabras clave: Gastroenterología,
Terapéutica y rehabilitación,
Síndrome metabólico,
Hígado graso,
Obesidad,
Esteatohepatitis no alcohólica,
Atención primaria
Keyword: Medicine,
Gastroenterology,
Therapeutics and rehabilitation,
Metabolic syndrome,
Fatty liver,
Obesity,
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis,
Primary care
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