Nationwide study reveals persistent diagnostic delays, specialist access barriers, and unmet psychosocial needs among Americans living with steatotic liver disease
NOVEMBER 5, 2025, Boise, IDAHO – The Fatty Liver Foundation (FLF) will present findings from its State of Steatotic (Fatty) Liver Care in America: 2022–2025 Patient Perspectives Research at the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) The Liver Meeting® 2025 in Washington, DC. The abstract, titled “Shifting Trends in U.S. Steatotic Liver Disease Care: Patient-Reported Insights from the 2022–2025 SLD Care Survey” (Publication No. 2592), will be presented as part of the MASLD/MASH – Epidemiology and Natural History, Prevention and Outcomes poster session Saturday, November 8, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
Now in its fourth year, this national survey represents the largest and most comprehensive effort to capture real-world patient experiences across the full spectrum of steatotic liver diseases—including metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH), metabolic dysfunction and alcohol-associated liver disease (MetALD), and alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD).
A total of 1,094 adults living with steatotic liver disease across the United States participated in the 2025 survey, conducted between April and September 2025. Respondents reflected diverse demographic and clinical profiles, representing a broad cross-section of Americans affected by these increasingly common conditions.
Key Findings from the 2022–2025 Survey
- Advanced-stage diagnosis remains prevalent.Most respondents with MASLD or MASH were diagnosed either with MASLD or Stage 4 MASH (cirrhosis), suggesting gaps in early detection and staging. Many also reported not knowing their disease stage, underscoring the need for clearer communication at diagnosis.
- Primary care as the entry point.Most respondents were diagnosed in primary care settings, often through incidental findings, emphasizing the need for greater use of noninvasive liver assessments and earlier recognition of at-risk patients.
- Limited specialist access.Many respondents reported seeing a specialist, such as a hepatologist or gastroenterologist, within three months of their diagnosis. Still, at least one in five said they never received a referral, revealing ongoing challenges in accessing specialized liver care.
- Insufficient information at diagnosis.Most respondents said they received little or no information about their condition when first diagnosed, though recent results suggest this may be improving as more patients now report being given adequate information.
- Unmet psychosocial needs.Fatigue, anxiety, and depression were among the most frequently reported ongoing symptoms, yet few patients were offered mental health or peer support.
- Clinical trial participation remains low.Despite increasing availability of investigational therapies, the vast majority of respondents were not enrolled in clinical trials.
“These findings reaffirm the urgent need for earlier identification, improved patient education, and comprehensive care pathways that integrate behavioral and mental health support,” said Wayne Eskridge, Co-Founder and CEO of FLF. “We cannot treat what we do not find and far too many Americans are still diagnosed only after irreversible liver damage has occurred.”
“Through our annual national survey, we amplify the patient voice in shaping the future of liver care,” said Henry E. Chang, Executive Director of FLF. “The 2022–2025 data highlight the importance of noninvasive screening, multidisciplinary care, and culturally responsive education to ensure that every person living with liver disease is seen, heard, and supported.”
Tiffany Mensah, Program Coordinator and lead for FLF’s national care survey initiative, added, “Each year, we see how these data bring the patient perspective to life. The stories behind the numbers remind us that education, empathy, and access are just as essential to care as clinical treatment. Our goal is to make sure every person living with steatotic liver disease can navigate their journey with knowledge, support, and hope.”
Dr. Neeraj Mistry, FLF’s Chief Medical Officer, noted, “Patient-generated data such as these are indispensable in guiding research priorities, care standards, and health policies that truly meet patients where they are.”
About the Fatty Liver Foundation
Established in 2017, the Fatty Liver Foundation (FLF) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to improving the identification, diagnosis, treatment, and support of people living with the entire spectrum of steatotic liver disease (SLD), including MASLD, MASH, MetALD, and ALD. Through awareness, screening, education, and patient engagement, FLF works to improve outcomes for both asymptomatic and diagnosed individuals while advancing equitable access to care and early detection.
FLF also leads Sober Livers, an impact program providing education and peer support for people living with MetALD, ALD, and alcohol use disorder (AUD). Together, these initiatives embody FLF’s mission to empower patients, raise awareness, and strengthen health systems to respond to the growing epidemic of liver disease.
Connect with us at www.fattyliverfoundation.org, on Facebook (Fatty Liver Foundation JUST LIVER NEWS), LinkedIn (Fatty Liver Foundation), X/Twitter (@LiverSaver), and YouTube (Fatty Liver Foundation).
MEDIA CONTACT
Henry E. Chang
Executive Director
Fatty Liver Foundation
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 917 400-8900
# # #
