The World's Largest Podcast on Fatty Liver Disease

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June 21, 2022

S1-E1.1 – Fatty Liver Prevalence May Be Higher Than Previously Thought, Especially Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Hepatology Researcher and Key Opinion Leader Stephen Harrison discussed results of his 2021 publication in the Journal of Hepatology that reported, in a prospective random sample of 835 people with a median age of 55, NAFLD prevalence as being 37%, NASH as being 14% and advanced fibrosis as being 6% in a random asymptomatic patients. Among patient with Type 2 Diabetes, NAFLD prevalence was 70% and NASH was 35%.

NAFLD prevalence is an increasing topic of conversation and concern. Some refer to it as “the new pandemic.” The NASH Tsunami in Diabetes: Getting Ahead of the Rising Tide is a new podcast dedicated to focusing on prevalence, severity and downstream health implications for patients with Type 2 Diabetes and other metabolic diseases. This conversation centers around a segment of the first episode in the series that shared results of a prospective study estimating disease prevalence.

Fatty Liver Prevalence May Be Higher Than Previously Thought, Especially Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Historically, researchers derived estimates of NAFL prevalence retrospectively relying on insurance and other databases. In 2011 and again in 2021, Stephen Harrison led prospective studies to estimate NAFLD prevalence, along with NASH and advanced fibrosis, in a large sample of asymptomatic patients. He and his team also looked at key population subgroups, notably including Type 2 Diabetes patients.

The methodology for the two studies was fairly straightforward. In both cases, individuals with no history or symptoms of liver disease went to their local military hospital for a colonoscopy screen. While there, they were offered the chance to learn about the health of their livers, first through blood testing, then FibroScan and if the FibroScan suggested NASH, a liver biopsy. In both studies, the researchers found incidence of NAFLD to be in the mid-30s (38% in 2021) and NASH to be in the mid-teens (14% in 2021). Over that time, the only change was in the incidence of advanced fibrosis, which grew from 2% to 6%.

Among people with Type 2 Diabetes, the numbers were higher: 70% with NAFLD and 35% with NASH. People with Type 2 Diabetes, obesity and hypertension had a 74% NAFLD prevalence and 46% NASH prevalence.

In this conversation, Dr. Harrison shares these numbers and the other panelists, endocrinologist Ken Cusi, hepatologist Kathleen Corey, medical device Key Opinion Leader Kay Pepin and pricing and forecasting guru and co-host Roger Green. In turn, the panelists have questions of their own and comments about the severe implications of the study for patients in general, and particularly those with Type 2 Diabetes and other metabolic diseases.

S2-5 – Key Insights from the American Diabetes Association 83rd Scientific Sessions

Ken Cusi and Roger Green are joined by family practice researcher and KOL Eric Johnson and diabetologist and primary care KOL Jay Shubrook in a discussion around exciting news emerging from the ADA 83rd Scientific Sessions meeting. Layering in practical takeaways, the group explores their impressions from the meeting, the utility of FIB-4 as a frontline screening tool, guidelines and recommendations, therapeutic options both now and in the imminent future, and lastly the new nomenclature rollout for Fatty Liver disease.

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S2-4 – What Can You Do Today to Prevent and Treat Fatty Liver Disease?

Ken Cusi and Roger Green are joined by Diana Barb and Jay Shubrook in a discussion around effective therapies and strategies for fighting fatty liver disease that are available now. The group discusses frontline screening, medications, bariatric surgery, lifestyle management, practical insights and much more.

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S2-E3 – Why Clinical Care Pathways Matter

In this episode of the Rising Tide series, co-hosts Ken Cusi and Roger Green are joined by KOL in public health, Jeff Lazarus, and physician and associate professor of internal medicine, Jeff Budd. The panelists focus on why clinical care pathways matter and drive the message that primary care plays an integral role in fighting fatty liver.

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S2-E2 – A Deeper Dive Into Fatty Liver, NAFLD, and NASH

In this episode of the Rising Tide series for frontline professionals, the patients themselves and caregivers, co-hosts Ken Cusi and Roger Green are joined by KOL in hepatology, Manal Abdelmalek and KOL in endocrinology, Scott Isaacs for a deeper dive into Fatty Liver, NAFLD and NASH. The group discusses: morbidities and mortalities related to fatty liver disease, paradigm-shifting data, screening for risk stratification, pediatric and adolescent populations, unique key takeaways and much more.

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S2-1 – Combating Swelling NAFLD and NASH Prevalence: Drugs, Diagnostics and Guidelines for the Frontline

In the Season 2 debut of the Rising Tide series for healthcare professionals who treat diabetic patients, the patients themselves and their caregivers, co-hosts Ken Cusi and Roger Green are joined by Mazen Noureddin to talk about prevalence and taking action on the frontlines today. The trio explore emerging NASH drugs, noninvasive testing and guidelines for treating different stages of disease progression.

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S1-E3 – Diabetes Drug Choices With Benefits For NAFLD

Hepatologist Naim Alkhouri and Endocrinologist Scott Isaacs join Ken Cusi and Roger Green to discuss drug choices prescribers can make TODAY for patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and obesity that have positive impact on Fatty Liver disease.

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S1-E2 — What’s Behind The New AACE Fatty Liver Guidelines?

Drs. Mary Rinella, Zobair Younossi and Diana Barb join co-hosts Dr. Ken Cusi and Roger Green to explore the new AACE Fatty Liver guidelines. Learn about the epidemiology and research behind the guidelines and what they recommend for endocrinologists, primary care physicians and allied health professionals when screening, diagnosing and managing Type 2 Diabetes patients for Fatty Liver disease.

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S1-E1.2 – NAFLD Prevalence and Type 2 Diabetes in an Endocrinology Clinic: The Need for Screening and Vigilance

Fatty Liver Researcher and endocrinology key opinion leader Ken Cusi discusses the high levels of NAFLD prevalence and fibrosis among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients and the value of early screening, particularly in endocrinology clinics, where the percent of patients with NAFLD and NASH fibrosis is double what we find in primary care.

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