{
  "abstract": "Objective Clinical guidelines recommend structured education programmes for patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD); however, these are uncommon in practice. We developed and implemented a structured group education programme and aimed to assess patient engagement, experiences of attending the groups and evaluate whether attendance led to weight loss.Methods Patients with MASLD attending a tertiary liver unit were offered three 1-hour sessions, either face-to-face (F2F) or online. Content included: what MASLD is; how lifestyle change can improve outcomes; and signposting to appropriate resources. Patient-related experiences and weight data were collected prospectively.Results 204 patients were invited to attend the groups between October 2023 and March 2025. 84% booked to attend and 54% attended (median age 62 years; 54% male; body mass index 38 kg/m 2): 69% F2F; 31% online. Mean weight change at follow-up was −3.4 kg (−3.2%; p<0.001); 46% achieved ≥3% weight loss, 29%≥5% and 11%≥10%. There was no statistically significant difference in mean weight loss achieved between patients attending F2F versus online (−2.8 kg (−2.7%); vs −4.9 kg (−4.4%); p=0.154). Weight losses observed in those attending the groups were greater than those receiving standard care in our unit (p=0.005). Patients reported overall satisfaction with the programme (mean score: 9.4/10) and were likely to recommend the course to others (mean score: 9.8/10).Conclusions The MASLD group education programme was feasible to deliver, well received by patients and achieved greater weight loss than standard care. Structured group education is a viable option to support patients with MASLD to make lifestyle changes and may help to expand clinical capacity.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "The Liver Unit, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Thomas Crame"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "The Liver Unit, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Rachel Howarth"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "The Liver Unit, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Elizabeth Johnstone"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Hollie Smith"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "The Liver Unit, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK",
        "NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK",
        "Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Stuart McPherson"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "The Liver Unit, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK",
        "NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK",
        "Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Kate Hallsworth"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Prospective evaluation of a structured group education programme for patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)",
  "uid": "45f08684-dab9-5d2e-b6ec-e64f26f12586"
}