Combining Obesity, NAFLD, and Diabetes Management Study through Integrated Treatment Pathways (CONDUIT)

STUDY BASICS

Are you over 18 with presence of a problem closely associated with NAFLD non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Including: Coronary artery disease and/or stroke, type 2 diabetes mellitus, Obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension (high blood pressure), hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), obesity (BMI greater than 30 kg/m2 ), gout, and/or polycystic ovary syndrome?

STUDY PURPOSE

Most individuals with NAFLD are not at risk of developing cirrhosis or liver-realted complications. However, a sub-group of individuals have a progressive form of the disorder, called non-alcoholic steastohepatitis (NASH) that can progress to cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure. Importantly, most individuals with NAFLD have either mild or no symptoms until advanced stages of the disease, resulting in delay in diagnosis and treatment. Currently, there are no definite recommendations to screen high-risk individuals for NAFLD although screening is recommended in patients incidentally diagnosed with fatty liver or who have elevated liver enzymes. The estimated prevalence of NAFLD in high risk populations is also not known.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic medical condition in which excessive fat accumulates in the liver. Most individuals with fatty liver disease do not have any symptoms and NAFLD may go undiagnosed and unnoticed for many years.  NAFLD is the most common chronic liver disease in the United States, estimated to affect 90 million individuals. It is closely associated with other chronic medical problems such as obesity, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, and sleep apnea. This study is being performed to estimate how many individuals who have chronic problems such as diabetes, heart disease and sleep apnea also have fatty liver disease. This study will use a safe and painless technology called Fibroscan to look for evidence of fatty liver in individuals who have previously not been diagnosed with this condition to enable early diagnosis and treatment of this disorder. Early diagnosis of advanced fatty liver and linkage to care with a liver specialist for treatment may potentially decrease the risk of disease progression.

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

Transient elastography (TE, commonly called Fibroscan) is an FDA-approved device which will use high frequency sound waves to measure the stiffness of the liver.  This does not use radiation, has no known side effects, and is very safe.  This procedure is very similar to past Ultrasound exams that you may have had of your liver. 
Information about current alcohol use will be collected by study staff at the time of the procedure using a standard questionnaire