ArticleBMC gastroenterology2020
Retrospective analysis of a dedicated care pathway for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in an integrated US healthcare system demonstrates support of weight management and improved ALT.
Article in BMC gastroenterology, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
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2 citing papers in PubMed, 2 citations in OpenAlex.
- A simple guide to the use of Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-squared test, and Kruskal-Wallis test in biostatistics.BioData mining · 2025Article
- To scan or not to scan: Use of transient elastography in an integrated health system.World journal of hepatology · 2023Article
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Authors and funding
6 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundA care pathway for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Kaiser Permanente San Diego, California was instituted in August 2017 to improve efficiency of disease staging and promote lifestyle modification.
methodsThe NAFLD Care Pathway includes: (1) patient education (2) vibration controlled transient elastography (VCTE) examination (3) hepatology consultation for VCTE ≥ 8 kPa and (4) referral to weight management (WM). Patients referred to the pathway during the first 6 months of its implementation were studied for adherence to its components and impact on weight change and ALT values in the 12 months following referral. Retrospective assessment of WM participation, change in weight, and change in ALT were evaluated in the 12-months following referral and compared to changes 12-months prior. Student's t-test or Wilcoxon signed rank test were used as appropriate (p < 0.05).
results632 patients were included. 575 (91.0%) completed VCTE examination with mean liver stiffness 8.5 kPa (SD 9.2). 52 patients had mean liver stiffness ≥ 15 kPa. 180/632 (28.5%) attended NAFLD education. 153/632 (24.2%) were offered hepatology clinic and 136/153 (88.9%) completed at least 1 appointment. Participation in WM was 24/632 (3.8%) prior to referral and 67/632 (10.6%) after referral and increased among patients who attended NAFLD education. Mean weight change following referral was - 0.69 kg (SD 6.58 kg) among patients without WM and - 7.78 kg (SD 13.43 kg) with WM. Overall, 44.2% of participants experienced weight gain after referral, 40.8% had weight loss < 5% and 15% had weight loss ≥ 5%. Variables associated with weight loss included WM (p < 0.0001) and higher liver stiffness (p = 0.0066). Mean ALT change was - 15.2 (SD 38.5) U/L without WM and - 28.8 (SD 29.6) U/L with WM.
conclusionsA care pathway for NAFLD within a large, integrated healthcare system provides non-invasive disease staging and minimizes hepatology clinic utilization to those with more advanced disease. Referral was associated with increased enrollment in WM, weight loss, and decreased ALT. Given its impact on healthcare resources, strategies to improve NAFLD identification, staging, and promotion of lifestyle modification are imperative.
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