Only Half of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Patients Undergo Complete Testing to Determine the Presence of NASH
New York, NY, May 8, 2017 — In an assessment by Ipsos Healthcare’s Global Evidence, Value and Access team, led by Dr. Marco DiBonaventura, patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the United States and Europe are only examined for NASH in 50% of cases, according to new findings from Ipsos Healthcare’s NASH Therapy Monitor, a retrospective medical chart review dataset of patients with NAFLD. The research will be presented later this month at the ISPOR (International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research) 22th Annual International Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts.
“NAFLD is characterized by fat build-up in the liver, which occurs in approximately 30-40% of adults” said Jason Katz, the lead researcher on the study at Ipsos Healthcare. “However, when this progresses to liver cell inflammation and death it is classified at NASH. NASH is largely asymptomatic but increases the risk of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.”
Using the clinical data from the NASH Monitor, Ipsos identified the percentage of patients who had a complete NAFLD Activity Score (NAS). The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases recommends that a NAS of 3 or above indicates the presence of NASH. Additional analyses were conducted to determine what patient characteristics were most strongly associated with having a complete NAS measurement.
The results from the study showed that only 52% of patients had a NAS value, suggesting a potential underdiagnosis of NASH. The presence of NASH cannot be definitively determined without this NAS assessment. Patients with an elevated fibrosis score and cardiometabolic comorbidities were more likely to have had a complete measurement. Sociodemographic factors were generally unrelated suggesting that healthcare access is not an issue.
“Prevalence estimates of NASH range from 3-12%,” Mr. Katz said. “However, the results of our study suggest there may be more patients out there who are not getting diagnosed due to an incomplete assessment. Improved early detection of NASH can dramatically affect patient outcomes and societal costs, particularly since there are upcoming treatments available.”
For more information on this news release and our work in Health Outcomes and Real World Research, please contact:
Marco DiBonaventura, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President, Global Evidence Value and Access, North America
Ipsos Healthcare
+1 203 722-0224
[email protected]
About the NASH Therapy Monitor
The study’s results were drawn from the NASH Therapy Monitor, a retrospective medical chart review of patients with NAFLD in the United Sates conducted annually. Physicians abstract patient demographics, disease status, comorbidities, testing, and treatment data on their most recent 5-10 NAFLD patients.
About Ipsos Healthcare
Ipsos Healthcare is a global business focusing on research in the pharmaceutical, bio-tech, and medical device markets.
With offices in over 40 countries, the team of 600 healthcare market research experts, marketers and ex-client-side brand-builders focus on delivering outcome-oriented research for its clients. It is also the leading provider of global syndicated patient chart studies in over 14 countries.
Drawing from a broad range of qualitative, quantitative and data analytic/integration techniques, Ipsos Healthcare offers a range of stand-alone and integrated research programs to evaluate the motivations, experiences, interactions and influence of stakeholders forming the multi-customer markets which increasingly drive business success in the healthcare industry.
Visit www.ipsoshealthcare.com to learn more.
About Ipsos
Ipsos is an independent market research company controlled and managed by research professionals. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has grown into a worldwide research group with a strong presence in all key markets. Ipsos ranks fourth in the global research industry.
With offices in 89 countries, Ipsos delivers insightful expertise across five research specializations: brand, advertising and media; customer loyalty; marketing; public affairs research; and survey management.
Ipsos researchers assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media and they measure public opinion around the globe.
Ipsos has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1999 and generated global revenues of €1,782.7 million in 2016.
