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Diagnostic Algorithm for the Identification of NAFLD in Primary Care

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Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

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Abstract

In the primary care setting, NAFLD often goes unrecognized or is devalued. Although there is no indication for screening in general population, GPs should be aware of the elevated probability of NAFLD in high-risk groups, such as obese and diabetic individuals. Among the large group that presents with steatosis, referral to a specialist should be considered in those with evidence of advanced fibrosis. Patients, mostly those that are older, have diabetes, hypertension, or dyslipidemia, should be screened for advanced fibrosis through combined scores such as NAFLD Fibrosis score or FIB-4, and if negative, repeat those tests in 2 or 3 years. Evaluation of liver stiffness, through elastography methods, can further discriminate the patients to be referred, thus contributing to the reduction of NAFLD-related burden.

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Abbreviations

AASLD:

American Association for the study of liver diseases

APASL:

The Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver

EASL:

European Association for the Study of the Liver

GP:

General Practitioner

MetS:

Metabolic syndrome

NAFLD FS:

NAFLD fibrosis score

NAFLD:

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

NASH:

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

T2DM:

Type 2-diabetes mellitus

TE:

Transitory elastography

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clínica Universitária de Gastrenterologia, Laboratório de Nutrição, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal

    Helena Cortez-Pinto

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  1. Helena Cortez-Pinto
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Correspondence to Helena Cortez-Pinto .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Sciences, Division of Gastroentrology and Hepatology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy

    Elisabetta Bugianesi

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Cortez-Pinto, H. (2020). Diagnostic Algorithm for the Identification of NAFLD in Primary Care. In: Bugianesi, E. (eds) Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95828-6_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95828-6_12

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-95827-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-95828-6

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