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August 2025
In this MASLD and MASH Community Network, Tessa Janovsky, PA-C at Arizona Liver Health, answers common questions from primary care providers about Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) and its updated terminology. She explains why MASH has replaced the term NASH, highlighting the shift to reflect underlying metabolic drivers such as obesity and type 2 diabetes while removing stigmatizing language. Tessa discusses how normal or mildly elevated liver enzymes do not rule out MASH, the importance of screening high-risk groups—including patients with diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, or incidental fatty liver on imaging—and why the FIB-4 score is the preferred first-line test for fibrosis risk assessment. She also reviews the first FDA-approved medication for MASH, resmetirom, as well as the role of GLP-1 therapies and upcoming treatment options. Whether you’re a clinician seeking updated screening guidelines or a patient wanting clarity on diagnosis and management, this session provides clear, evidence-based guidance on identifying and treating MASH.
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Common Questions From Primary Care Providers About MASH
August 2025
Join Sarah Dawkins, NP, for quick and practical insights in this edition of GHAPP MASLD Community Network’s APP Insights. Sarah answers common questions from primary care providers about managing patients with hepatic steatosis on imaging but normal liver tests. She explains when to calculate a FIB-4 score, how to interpret mild ALT/AST abnormalities, and when referral to hepatology is necessary. Learn how to assess risk in patients with diabetes, obesity, or metabolic syndrome, and how to rule out other causes like viral hepatitis, alcohol use, drug-induced liver injury, and iron overload. Sarah emphasizes the importance of lifestyle counseling for low-risk patients and provides a clear framework for primary care providers to confidently monitor and manage MASLD without unnecessary referrals. A must-watch for anyone navigating the "gray zone" of liver diagnostics in everyday practice.
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Common Questions from Community GI About MASH
July 2025
In this insightful video, Christie Morrison, a local advanced practice provider with the GHAPP MASLD/MASH Community Network, answers two of the most frequently asked questions from community GI providers: when to refer patients with MASH to a transplant center and how to evaluate liver fibrosis when FibroScan® isn’t accessible. Christy emphasizes the importance of using non-invasive testing (NITs)—including FIB-4 and ELF (Enhanced Liver Fibrosis) scores—to help identify patients with F3 fibrosis, who are at higher risk for rapid progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). She encourages early referral to transplant hepatology to avoid delays in care, especially given long wait times and the value of multidisciplinary support teams at transplant centers. For clinicians without access to FibroScan, Christy shares practical alternatives such as ordering reflex testing to ELF via major labs and leveraging easy-to-use digital tools like MDCalc for FIB-4 calculation. This episode is a valuable resource for GI providers looking to optimize liver care pathways and prevent late-stage complications in MASLD and MASH patients.
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Common Questions From Primary Care Providers About MASH
August 2025
Join Maly Tiev, NP, NYU Langone Health, as she answers common questions from primary care providers about Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH). Learn who should be screened based on AASLD and American Diabetes Association guidelines, including patients with obesity, pre-diabetes or diabetes, metabolic syndrome, persistent ALT elevation, or steatosis on imaging. Molly explains when to refer MASH patients to gastroenterology or hepatology—such as those with FIB-4 scores over 1.3, suspected advanced fibrosis, or unexplained liver enzyme elevations—and addresses the safety of prescribing statins in MASH. Backed by multiple studies, she emphasizes that statins do not increase liver injury risk and can significantly reduce cardiovascular mortality, the leading cause of death in this population. This session provides practical, evidence-based guidance to help clinicians improve MASH detection, optimize referrals, and manage cardiovascular risk safely.
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APP Insight: Common Questions from Community GI About MASH
July 2025
In this episode, HoChong Gilles, DNP, FNP-BC, a seasoned hepatology expert and Clinical Program Director at the Central Virginia VA Health Care System, addresses a frequently asked question from primary care and community GI providers: How do you risk stratify patients without access to a FibroScan? Drawing on over 25 years of clinical experience, HoChong outlines practical strategies for assessing liver fibrosis using the FIB-4 score—a simple calculation based on patient age, ALT, AST, and platelet count. She also discusses how tools like the Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) test, available through Quest or Labcorp, can serve as valuable alternatives in the absence of elastography. Whether you're managing incidental hepatic steatosis or evaluating elevated liver enzymes, this episode offers step-by-step guidance for using non-invasive biomarkers to stratify liver disease risk and guide referrals effectively. Perfect for clinicians in primary care, GI, and hepatology seeking practical, accessible tools for early liver disease assessment.
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APP Insight: Misconceptions About Liver Health
June 2025
In this video, Anthony Derencius, PA-C at Pinnacle Clinical Research, clears up some of the most common misconceptions about liver health—offering valuable insights for both patients and healthcare providers. With extensive experience in hepatology, Anthony emphasizes that liver disease is often silent and asymptomatic, meaning many individuals may feel completely fine while living with a significant liver issue. He cautions against relying on a single lab result or imaging test to determine liver status, especially when assessing for conditions like cirrhosis, and stresses the importance of confirming findings through multiple diagnostic tools over time. Anthony also highlights the need for proactive screening, particularly in patients with risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, or a family history of liver disease. Early detection is key, and he encourages patients to advocate for their liver health by seeking evaluation—even if their provider hasn’t suggested it. This is a must-watch for anyone aiming to better understand the complexities of liver disease and the importance of early and accurate diagnosis.
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Common Questions from Community GI About MASH
July 2025
In this practical and timely video, Erin Tanner, NP at Gastro Health in Birmingham, Alabama, shares expert insights on how community gastroenterology providers should approach incidental findings of fatty liver (MASLD/MASH) on abdominal imaging. With over 14 years of experience in GI and hepatology, Erin emphasizes that fatty liver can no longer be ignored, even when discovered during workups for unrelated GI symptoms like reflux or diarrhea. She walks through the step-by-step use of the FIB-4 index to risk-stratify patients and explains when to follow up with further non-invasive testing such as FibroScan® or ultrasound elastography. For patients with F3 fibrosis, Erin outlines next steps including lifestyle interventions, the use of Resmetirom, and the promise of GLP-1 therapies for future treatment. This is a must-watch for GI clinicians aiming to improve outcomes by proactively managing fatty liver disease in everyday practice.
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Common Questions From Patients About MASH
August 2025
Discover practical insights into managing fatty liver disease from Melissa Franco, PA, a hepatology expert at the University of Miami. In this MASLD Community Network episode, Melissa answers one of the most common questions from patients: what causes fatty liver and how to improve it. She explains the multiple factors that can lead to fatty liver, including lifestyle, diet, genetics, alcohol use, and certain medications, and emphasizes the critical role of dietary modifications and regular exercise—often recommending the Mediterranean diet. Melissa also addresses alcohol use in patients with fatty liver, sharing why she discourages it entirely due to its potential to accelerate fibrosis progression, even at mild intake levels. Learn why personalized nutrition, physical activity, and avoiding alcohol are key steps in slowing disease progression and protecting liver health. Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, or healthcare professional, this video offers clear, evidence-based guidance on managing fatty liver disease effectively.
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Common Questions From Patients About MASH
August 2025
In this engaging episode from the GHAPP MASLD Community Network, Alison Moe shares practical insights into the most common questions patients ask about advanced fibrosis and fatty liver disease. Using a liver model, she explains the stages from normal liver to steatosis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis, emphasizing that with lifestyle modifications—such as weight loss, glycemic control, and now FDA-approved pharmacotherapy—fatty liver disease, including F3 fibrosis, can be reversible. Alison also addresses a critical concern: alcohol consumption. She breaks down how her guidance differs depending on the presence and stage of fibrosis, adhering to strict AASLD guidelines to protect liver health. Whether you're a healthcare provider or a patient looking for clarity, this video offers evidence-based guidance and compassionate answers.
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APP Insight: Misconceptions About Liver Health
June 2025
In this video, Christina Hanson, FNP-C, from South Denver Gastroenterology, dispels common myths around liver health and highlights a critical shift in how we identify and manage fatty liver disease. With the updated terminology from NAFLD/NASH to MASLD/MASH—Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatotic Liver Disease—Christina explains how the new name more accurately reflects the underlying cardiometabolic drivers of the condition, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. She emphasizes that liver enzyme abnormalities or incidental imaging findings should no longer be the only triggers for evaluation. Instead, clinicians—especially in primary care and endocrinology—should proactively screen high-risk patients using non-invasive tools like FIB-4 to assess for liver fibrosis. With over 50% of patients with type 2 diabetes and up to 90% of those with morbid obesity at risk for coexisting fatty liver, early identification and triage are vital to improving outcomes. This is a must-watch for healthcare providers seeking practical, guideline-driven strategies for detecting MASLD and MASH in everyday clinical practice.
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APP Insight: Common Questions from Primary Care Providers About MASH
June 2025
In this informative video, Michelle Barnett, PA-C, a hepatology expert based in Colorado Springs, answers frequently asked questions about elevated liver enzymes in the context of MASH (Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatohepatitis) and MASLD (Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatotic Liver Disease). She breaks down how to interpret common liver enzyme patterns—such as ALT greater than AST versus AST greater than ALT—and what these patterns may indicate, from MASH to alcohol-related liver disease and other potential causes like autoimmune hepatitis or drug-induced liver injury. Michelle outlines how to perform a thorough workup, including patient history, medication review, and physical exam findings, and emphasizes the importance of using tools like FIB-4 and abdominal ultrasound to assess for fibrosis and portal hypertension. The discussion also covers the clinical value of GGT, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, albumin, and platelets in evaluating liver function. Michelle shares practical guidance on when to refer patients to hepatology and how to monitor liver enzymes over time, particularly in those undergoing lifestyle changes or pharmacologic treatment. This comprehensive Q&A is an essential resource for providers managing patients with suspected or confirmed metabolic liver disease.
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