Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a long-term liver disease linked to metabolic conditions such as obesity and diabetes. It can cause inflammation and increasing liver scarring (fibrosis), which may eventually lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, liver cancer, or death. However, there is limited information on how people with MASH are identified, assessed, monitored, and treated in everyday clinical practice, particularly those with cirrhosis who have not yet developed serious complications.
This study will review existing medical records from approximately 750 adults with MASH receiving care across approximately 60 hospitals and clinics that provide specialist care for liver disease in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Spain. No new treatments, tests, or study visits will be given as part of the research.
The study will examine how physicians diagnose MASH and determine the amount of liver scarring (fibrosis staging) using blood-based tests, scans, liver biopsy, and other clinical information. It will also describe how patients are monitored and treated, how care differs according to the severity of liver scarring, and how often patients progress to more advanced disease. Particular attention will be given to patients with cirrhosis who have not yet developed complications.
The study will also explore whether information routinely recorded in medical records, such as diagnoses, procedures, medicines, and healthcare use, could help to identify patients with MASH-related cirrhosis in future research databases.
The findings are expected to improve understanding of how MASH is managed in routine European clinical practice and where there may be opportunities to improve disease identification, monitoring, and care.