The main purpose of this study is to investigate whether an online lifestyle modification program for people with Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) through a mobile application produces a significant reduction in liver steatosis and is associated with a higher rate of weight loss compared to standard recommendations currently indicated in Primary Care.
Chronic liver disease are very common and potentially severe. For the most part, they are diagnosed in an advanced stage, which prevents the introduction of curative treatments. MAFLD is currently the most common cause of chronic liver disease affecting approximately 25% of the world's population. MAFLD is characterized by an excessive accumulation of liver fat associated with insulin resistance (IR) which is defined by the presence of steatosis in\> 5% of hepatocytes according to histological analysis. Currently, the only effective strategy for treating MAFLD is weight loss. Several studies show that a 3-5% weight loss manages to reduce hepatic steatosis and associated metabolic parameters. Despite this, a reduction of at least 7-10% is required to improve fibrosis. Guidelines from the European Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (EASL) and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) recommend following an energy-restricted diet adjusted to the Mediterranean diet, excluding MAFLD-promoting components (processed products and high in added fructose), and perform physical activity in order to achieve this goal. However, it is a difficult goal to achieve and maintain over time. Epidemiological evidence recommends implementing structured lifestyle modification programs with the goal of losing weight. In people with MFGNA, participation in structured lifestyle programs may be compromised by work and time constraints. An application-based online intervention may be more appropriate for young people, people of working age, and those living far from primary care. EHealth technology is a possible resource for promoting behavior change but is a little-studied field in lifestyles modification of people with MAFLD. Given the lack of information regarding lifestyle modification programs in people with MAFLD as the main therapeutic intervention in Primary Care (PC), we consider to analyze the effectiveness of an online program based on the Mediterranean diet with calorie restriction, associated with specific goals of weight loss and physical activity, which allows to reduce hepatic steatosis of individuals with MAFLD. This study, along with studies of early detection of chronic liver disease through liver elastography "LiverScreen", aims to be the beginning of the approach to chronic liver disease in Primary Care. The aim of this study is to evaluate a strategy for treating MAFLD.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
90
Online healthy lifestyle education through an App. The intervention will consist of viewing educational videos on diet and exercise through an App. Videos will be uploaded to the app on a weekly basis, lasting 2-3.
Standard tips for healthy lifestyles that are carried out in regular Primary Care practice. After day 1, where standard advice is received, follow-up visits are conducted at week 2, week 4, month 3, and month 6.
Núria Fabrellas
Barcelona, Spain
Rate of reduction in hepatic steatosis in people with MAFLD.
Time frame: Month 12
Liver steatosis improvement rate according to CAP value (dB/m)
Time frame: Month 6 and 12
Changes from baseline in weight (kg) at month 6 and month 12.
Time frame: Month 6 and 12
Changes from baseline in abdominal circumference (cm) and anthropometric variables at month 6 and 12.
Time frame: Month 6 and 12
Adherence to healthy lifestyle with
Time frame: Month 6 and 12
Changes from baseline in cardiovascular risk through REGICOR at month 6 and 12.
Time frame: Month 6 and 12
Changes from baseline in lipid profile (TG, total COL, HDL, LDL), glycemia and HbA1c at month 6 and month 12.
Time frame: Month 6 and 12
Changes from baseline in liver stiffness values for Fibroscan®, FIB-4 and NAFLD-score and on steatosis scores FLI, HSI, ION at month 6 and 12.
Time frame: Month 6 and 12
Changes from baseline in steatosis scores FLI, HSI, ION at month 6 and 12.
Time frame: Month 6 and 12
Changes from baseline in quality of life of individuals at month 6 and 12 and throughout the study throught EuroqoL questionnarie.
Time frame: Month 6 and 12
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Satisfaction of individuals in the participation of the study throught adHoc questionnaire
Time frame: D0, month 6, month 12