Impact of NAFLD vs MAFLD Stigma on Quality of Life in Egyptian Patients

Recruiting now

Conditions studied: NAFLD

In brief

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the leading cause of liver disease worldwide. The global burden of NAFLD is about 30% of the population, With a higher prevalence in Egypt about 47.5 %. The prevalence increases significantly with the presence of type 2 diabetes and obesity. NAFLD is commonly associated with metabolic dysfunction and the development of cardiovascular disease. However, the NAFLD definition excludes other causes. It is not correlated with metabolic dysfunction and cardiovascular risk, so in 2020, the term metabolic-dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) was suggested to replace the term NAFLD. The nomenclature change was partly related to the stigma associated with the term NAFLD. As the words "alcoholic" and "fatty" were considered stigmatizing. A recent global survey showed that 26% of patients (57% in the USA and 7% in MENA) felt stigmatized relating to overweight/obesity and 8% of patients (22 % in the USA and 3% in MENA) felt stigmatized by the term NAFLD. While 34% and 38% of physicians considered the words "non-alcoholic" and "fatty" stigmatizing, respectively. There is a discrepancy between the different regions of the world and between patients and providers regarding the perception of NAFLD/ MAFLD stigma. This study aims to assess the perception and stigmatization of various diagnostic terms (fatty liver, NAFLD \& MAFLD) among Egyptian patients and physicians. Also, to assess the impact of stigma on the quality of life and the motivations and barriers for lifestyle modification which is the cornerstone of NAFLD/MAFLD management.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT06503068

Run by

Tanta University

People needed

500

Starts

2024-05-01

Expected to finish

2024-12-15

Last updated by the study team

2024-08-16

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Patients ≥ 18 years old diagnosed with NAFLD/ NASH and willing to complete the survey.
• Physicians treating patients with NAFLD/NASH (hepatologists, gastroenterologists, endocrinologists, and internal medicine physicians).

You may not qualify if…

• Unwilling to participate

Where it is running

• Tropical medicine department, Tanta University Hospitals — Tanta, Gharbyea, Egypt (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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