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IDDF2026-ABS-0434 Enhancing early detection of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in primary care: a quality improvement (QIP) initiative

gutjnl · 2026-06-26 · canonical JSON source

8 visible annotations · policy: published · automated confidence ≥ 75.00%

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Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now recognized as one of the leading causes of chronic liver disease worldwide, driven largely by the rising prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Despite this, early identification in primary care remains inconsistent, often resulting in delayed diagnosis and missed opportunities for intervention. This study aimed to evaluate existing screening practices and to implement a structured quality improvement initiative to enhance early detection of NAFLD in high-risk individuals. Methods This prospective quality improvement project was conducted over a six-month period in a primary care setting. Adult patients with established risk factors, including obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidaemia, were included. Baseline data were collected to determine the proportion of patients undergoing appropriate screening with liver function tests (LFTs) and abdominal ultrasound. A multifaceted intervention was then introduced, including clinician education, electronic reminders, and a standardized screening protocol. Post-intervention outcomes were compared with baseline findings.Results A total of 150 patients were included in the analysis. At baseline, 42% of eligible patients underwent appropriate screening. Following the intervention, screening rates increased to 78%. Detection of early-stage NAFLD improved from 18% to 36%. Clinician adherence to screening guidelines improved substantially, without a significant increase in workload or resource utilization.Conclusions A structured and pragmatic quality improvement approach significantly enhanced early detection of NAFLD in primary care. These findings highlight the effectiveness of simple, system-level interventions in improving adherence to screening practices. Early identification may facilitate timely management and reduce long-term hepatic and metabolic complications. Further multi-centre studies are warranted to support broader implementation.