Project R-11217

: Development of an evidence based proof of concept care path for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver disease in Flanders. (Research)

An increasing percentage of people worldwide have or are at risk to develop non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD can evolve to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis complicated by liver cirrhosis and even hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). There are no accurate and high quality data on prevalence of the disease and its different stages and subtypes, how NAFLD patients with fibrosis are referred, neither on the evolution of NAFLD patients in a Western European society and their quality of life (QoL). Despite the clinical importance and potential impact on healthcare resources, there is a striking lack of awareness of NAFLD as a disease on all levels of healthcare in Belgium. Therefore, the purpose of this project is to study these items in Flanders, Belgium. These data should also help to refine and optimise current guidelines on further care for NAFLD patients. Furthermore, there is a complete absence of any standardized care path in Flanders. Therefore, we want to validate the algorithm created by the Belgian Association for the Study of the Liver for NAFLD screening using non-invasive methods (blood sampling (biomarkers), FibroScan® (Vibration Controlled Transient Elastography) and CAPTM (Controlled Attenuation Parameter) in a general population and for each of the major risk groups. The use of the algorithm will allow for an early diagnosis and treatment of NAFLD, minimizing the chance to develop liver cirrhosis and HCC. Additionally, the QoL among NAFLD patients will be determined.

01 November 2020 - 31 October 2022