BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chronic liver disease is closely associated with lifestyle, and public enlightenment of the lifestyle factors is important in reducing prevalence of chronic liver disease. The KASL (Korean Association for the Study of the Liver) conducted a survey of basic information and epidemiological data regarding chronic liver diseases. METHODS: A survey of chronic liver disease involving a total of 2,794 respondents was conducted. The respondents included patients and their guardians, visitors for health check-ups, and online pollees who completed a questionnaire on the awareness of fatty liver or chronic liver disease. RESULTS: Of the entire cohort, 854 (39.7%) said they have had or still have fatty liver or an elevated transaminase level (>40 IU/L), but only 23.4% of the respondents had visited a hospital. It was found that 35% of healthy subjects and 45% of patients and their guardians misunderstood hepatitis B as the hereditary disesase. Furthermore, 26% of the subjects responded that patients with inactive hepatitis B do not require regular follow-up. While 17.9% answered that it is not too late to test for liver cancer when symptoms arise, 38.8% believed that liver transplant in liver cancer patients has a low success rate and is thus not recommended. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the inundation of information and widespread media advertising, the awareness of chronic liver disease is unsatisfactory among Korean adults. Systematic nationwide studies are needed to obtain data and information regarding the prevalence of chronic liver disease and patterns of use of the health-care system.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chronic liver disease is closely associated with lifestyle, and public enlightenment of the lifestyle factors is important in reducing prevalence of chronic liver disease. The KASL (Korean Association for the Study of the Liver) conducted a survey of basic information and epidemiological data regarding chronic liver diseases. METHODS: A survey of chronic liver disease involving a total of 2,794 respondents was conducted. The respondents included patients and their guardians, visitors for health check-ups, and online pollees who completed a questionnaire on the awareness of fatty liver or chronic liver disease. RESULTS: Of the entire cohort, 854 (39.7%) said they have had or still have fatty liver or an elevated transaminase level (>40 IU/L), but only 23.4% of the respondents had visited a hospital. It was found that 35% of healthy subjects and 45% of patients and their guardians misunderstood hepatitis B as the hereditary disesase. Furthermore, 26% of the subjects responded that patients with inactive hepatitis B do not require regular follow-up. While 17.9% answered that it is not too late to test for liver cancer when symptoms arise, 38.8% believed that liver transplant in liver cancerpatients has a low success rate and is thus not recommended. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the inundation of information and widespread media advertising, the awareness of chronic liver disease is unsatisfactory among Korean adults. Systematic nationwide studies are needed to obtain data and information regarding the prevalence of chronic liver disease and patterns of use of the health-care system.
Authors: Kyoung Min Moon; Gaeun Kim; Soon Koo Baik; Eunhee Choi; Moon Young Kim; Hyoun A Kim; Mee Yon Cho; Seung Yong Shin; Jung Min Kim; Hong Jun Park; Sang Ok Kwon; Young Woo Eom Journal: Clin Mol Hepatol Date: 2013-12-28
Authors: Ammal M Metwally; Dalia M Elmosalami; Hazem Elhariri; Lobna A El Etreby; Ahmed Aboulghate; Marwa M El-Sonbaty; Amira Mohsen; Rehan M Saleh; Ghada A Abdel-Latif; Sahar Samy; Sherif E El Deeb; Asmaa M Fathy; Mohab M Salah; Mohamed A Abdel Mawla; Hanaa M Imam; Nihad A Ibrahim; Fatma A Shaaban; Reham Y Elamir; Mohamed Abdelrahman; Manal H El-Sayed Journal: PLoS One Date: 2021-02-23 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: John F P Bridges; Liming Dong; Gisselle Gallego; Barri M Blauvelt; Susan M Joy; Timothy M Pawlik Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2012-10-30 Impact factor: 2.655