Noninvasive tests and diagnostic pathways to MASH diagnosis in the United States: a retrospective observational study.

IF 2.9 4区 医学 Q2 HEALTH CARE SCIENCES & SERVICES
Journal of Medical Economics Pub Date : 2025-12-01 Epub Date: 2025-02-28 DOI:10.1080/13696998.2025.2468582
Semiu O Gbadamosi, Kristin A Evans, Brenna L Brady, Anthony Hoovler
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Aim: Although liver biopsy is considered the most reliable diagnostic tool for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), it is invasive and can be costly. Clinicians are increasingly relying on routine biomarkers and other noninvasive tests (NITs) for diagnosis. We examined real-world diagnostic pathways for patients newly diagnosed with MASH with a primary focus on NITs.

Materials and methods: This retrospective, observational study analyzed healthcare claims data (Merative MarketScan Commercial and Medicare Databases) from patients in the United States newly diagnosed with MASH from October 1, 2016, to March 31, 2023. Patients ≥18 years old with ≥12 months of continuous enrollment with medical and pharmacy benefits prior to diagnosis were included. Diagnostic pathways leading up to MASH diagnosis, including NITs (blood-based and imaging-based tests) and liver biopsies were assessed. Prevalence of comorbid conditions, MASH-associated medication use, and the diagnosing physician specialty were also examined.

Results: A total of 18,396 patients were included in the analysis. Routine laboratory tests (alanine aminotransferase [ALT], albumin, aspartate aminotransferase [AST], cholesterol, complete blood count, and hemoglobin A1c) were performed among ≥70% of patients prior to MASH diagnosis, including 89% of patients with a liver enzyme test (ALT and/or AST). More than 75% of patients had necessary laboratory tests to calculate AST to platelet ratio index (APRI) and fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) scores. The most common imaging performed was ultrasound (62%); liver biopsy was only performed in 10% of patients. There was a high prevalence of cardio metabolic risk factors such as hyperlipidemia (66%), hypertension (62%), obesity (58%), type 2 diabetes (40%), and cardiovascular disease (21%). Nearly half of the patients (49%) were diagnosed by a primary care physician.

Limitations and conclusions: This study highlights real-world diagnostic pathways among patients newly diagnosed with MASH, supporting previous findings that liver biopsies are infrequently used in favor of noninvasive methods.

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来源期刊
Journal of Medical Economics
Journal of Medical Economics HEALTH CARE SCIENCES & SERVICES-MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL
CiteScore
4.50
自引率
4.20%
发文量
122
期刊介绍: Journal of Medical Economics'' mission is to provide ethical, unbiased and rapid publication of quality content that is validated by rigorous peer review. The aim of Journal of Medical Economics is to serve the information needs of the pharmacoeconomics and healthcare research community, to help translate research advances into patient care and be a leader in transparency/disclosure by facilitating a collaborative and honest approach to publication. Journal of Medical Economics publishes high-quality economic assessments of novel therapeutic and device interventions for an international audience
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