P0737 - Awareness of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease at the UPR-MSC Clinics in Puerto Rico

Felix Aponte Santos, MD¹, Adriana Suarez Cruz, MD², Maria Lopez Quintero, MD², Betty Chinea Cruz, MD, FACG^3
1University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico; ²University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan, Puerto Rico; ³Manati Medical Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Introduction: The next epidemic in chronic liver disease might be a direct result of increased incidence of NAFLD. There is an increasing trend of metabolic syndrome which has been associated with increased estimates of NAFLD in the population of Puerto Rico, predominantly Hispanic. We created a descriptive profile assessing the awareness of NAFLD and related factors; lifestyle aspects; and associations between them using survey-collected-data.

Methods: An IRB approved descriptive study was conducted using a survey in University of Puerto Rico Clinics to assess frequencies of awareness of NAFLD and related factors, and lifestyle aspects. Pearson's Chi Square test was used to determine associations between the variables. Statistical significance was set at p< 0.05.

Results: The survey was distributed to 371 patients between February and April 2021. Around 59.84% of respondents have never heard of fatty liver disease. The related risk factors most selected were high cholesterol (70.35%), excessive use of alcohol (69.27%), obesity (58.49%), diabetes (42.32%), and diet high in fats and carbohydrates (32.61%). About 52.29% knew the composition of a healthy diet.

Around 73% of those who attained a postgraduate degree had heard of fatty liver disease when compared to 67% of those with a university degree, 31% of those who graduated high school, and 35% of those who went to elementary school (p< 0.001). When asked about the composition of a healthy diet, 73% of those with a postgraduate degree, and 64% of those with a university degree responded affirmatively, whilst 48% and 6% of those with a high school education responded with uncertainty and negatively respectively(p=0.028). When awareness of fatty liver disease was examined among those with gastroenterologist follow up, around 63% had heard of fatty liver disease when compared to only 29% who had heard among those without follow-up. Seventy percent of those with follow-up with a gastroenterologist were more likely to answer “yes” regarding knowledge of healthy diet composition when compared to 44% of those who do not have follow-up (p< 0.0001).



Discussion: This data provides baseline information to promote effective, basic educational tools for the general population regarding NAFLD and related interventions.


Disclosures:
Felix Aponte Santos indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Adriana Suarez Cruz indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Maria Lopez Quintero indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Betty Chinea Cruz indicated no relevant financial relationships.


Felix Aponte Santos, MD¹, Adriana Suarez Cruz, MD², Maria Lopez Quintero, MD², Betty Chinea Cruz, MD, FACG³. P0737 - Awareness of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease at the UPR-MSC Clinics in Puerto Rico, ACG 2021 Annual Scientific Meeting Abstracts. Las Vegas, Nevada: American College of Gastroenterology.