Abstracts of the 2024 Annual Meeting of the ALEH
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Introduction and ObjectivesAlcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is the most frequent cause of cirrhosis in Western countries. Although Peru does not have the highest alcohol per capita consumption, the prevalence of alcohol-related health consequences is extremely high. To overcome the higher burden of disease due to alcohol, we aimed to assess the understanding and knowledge gaps in the management of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and ALD in Peruvian healthcare providers.
Patients / Materials and MethodsWe performed a non-probabilistic survey among physicians who are involved in the assessment and treatment of patients with ALD. Firstly, we developed fourteen questions from an expert panel on ALD in Latin America. Once the instrument was refined, it was submitted to physicians through the Peruvian Association for the Study of the Liver (APEH). The questionnaire included demographic data, assessment of alcohol intake in clinical practice, AUD treatment, and treatment of alcohol-associated hepatitis.
Results and DiscussionFifty-seven healthcare professionals were recruited. Median age was 39 [34–51] years old, and 51% were women. Eighty-one percent of physicians were gastroenterologists and the median experience time was 7 [2–17]. Most physicians do not assess alcohol intake routinely (86%) and only 14% screen for AUD. Also, about 75% rarely or never prescribe medications for AUD, while only 56% refer to addition therapist routinely. Finally, only 19% perform a management of alcohol-associated hepatitis in line with the current recommendation, and 11% of participants do not use any international guidelines for managing ALD.
ConclusionsThere is a huge gap in the clinical skills to assess and manage AUD and ALD properly. Training opportunities are urgently needed in the Peruvian health care providers to early detect and treat AUD and its striking consequences.
