{
  "abstract": "Background and Aims EASL 2024 guidelines on the management of metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease [MASLD] recommend screening patients at high risk of the condition using FIB4. In a recent national survey of >2000 Scottish adults, we found only 13% of those at risk for MASLD had a self-reported MASLD diagnosis, suggesting a lack of proactive identification in this group.We undertook a national survey of primary and secondary care clinicians with the aim of understanding knowledge, screening practices and perceived barriers to screening in MASLD.Method We conducted an anonymous, online survey [Jisc V3] with questions regarding clinicians’ knowledge and current practice related to MASLD. Responses from clinicians (doctors & specialist/practice nurses) in primary care and secondary care (cardiology & endocrinology) were eligible for inclusion. Potential study participants were invited via an email invite, shared through GP networks, specialist societies and specialist trainee networks.Fischer’s Exact test was used to calculate statistical significance.Results From 12/02–13/05/2025, 158 eligible clinicians completed the survey (General Practice n=106 [67.1%], Cardiology n=20 [12.7%], Diabetes & Endocrinology n=32 [20.3%]).Awareness of MASLD, Metabolic dysfunction and alcohol-related liver disease (MetALD) and alcohol related liver disease (ALD) was significantly lower than that of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). There were no significant differences in awareness identified between primary and secondary care clinicians, nor between doctors and nurses, for any condition (see table 1).43.7% of clinicians (n=69) routinely screen any of their patients for MASLD, with no significant difference between primary and secondary care clinicians or doctors and nurses. ‘Abnormal LFT’ was the most cited indication for MASLD screening (n=60 [87.0%]).‘Routine LFT’ was the most utilised screening tool (51/69 [73.9%]) followed by ultrasound (34/69 [49.3%]). Only 37.7% (26/69) used non-invasive scores such as FIB4 to screen patients. 54.4% (n=86) of all clinicians reported access to non-invasive fibrosis scores (e.g. FIB4) and 24.7% (n=39) to Fibroscan.Commonly cited barriers to routine screening include a lack of clear guidance on who/when to screen (69.0%, n=109), a lack of clear referral pathway for those identified with NAFLD/MASLD (50.0%, n=79) and lack of access to screening tests (39.9%, n=63).Abstract P19 Table 1Clinician awareness of NAFLD, MASLD, MetALD and ALD & screening practice All respondent n=158 Primary caren=101 (63.9%) Secondary caren=57 (36.1%) P= * Doctorn=132 (83.5%) Nursen=26 (16.5%) P= ** Aware of NAFLD 154 (97.5%) 99 (98.0%) 55 (96.5%) 0.536 130 (98.5%) 24 (92.3%) 0.878 Aware of MASLD 90 (57.0%) 52 (51.5%) 38 (66.7%) 0.069 76 (57.6%) 14 (53.8%) 0.829 Aware of MetALD 45 (28.5%) 25 (24.8%) 20 (35.1%) 0.210 34 (25.8%) 11 (42.3%) 0.100 Aware of ALD 138 (87.3%) 86 (85.1%) 52 (91.2%) 0.326 118 (89.4%) 20 (76.9%) 0.104 Do you routinely screen for NAFLD/MASLD? Yes 69 (43.7%) 50 (49.5%) 19 (33.3%) 0.066 56 (42.4%) 13 (50.0%) 0.521 * comparing primary and secondary care respondents; ** comparing doctor and nurse respondentsNAFLD: non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, MASLD: metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, MetALD: metabolic dysfunction and alcohol related liver disease, ALD: alcohol related Iiver diseaseDiscussion This national survey highlights awareness of steatotic liver disease remains low amongst non-hepatologist clinicians. Despite recent MASLD guidelines, more work is needed to ensure clinicians best placed to identify people at high risk of MASLD have the knowledge, tools and support of hepatologists, to confidently do soReference Leith D, Brennan P, Lynch R, Dillon JF, Byrne C. THU-020-YI assessing awareness of fatty liver disease among people in Scotland: a cross-sectional survey study (ADIPOSE). Journal of Hepatology 2025;82(Suppl 1):S666–S667, ISSN 0168–8278, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168–8278(25)01771–4.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University Of Dundee, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Damien Leith"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University Of Dundee, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Paul Brennan"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University Of Dundee, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Ruairi Lynch"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University Of Dundee, UK"
      ],
      "name": "John F Dillon"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University Of Dundee, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Chris J Byrne"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P19 Understanding awareness and screening practices for MASLD amongst non-gastroenterology clinicians – a national survey study",
  "uid": "165c6e18-def6-5013-8a19-b2fa4d30a04a"
}