Heath literacy, illness perception and NAFLD/NASH awareness in primary care patients in Crete, Greece

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aims Patient health literacy (HL), illness perception and awareness are key factors driving health behaviour. This observational study aims to assess the level of HL, illness perception and awareness about non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/steatohepatitis (NASH) in high-risk primary care (PC) patients in Greece, Spain and the Netherlands. Methods Eligibility criteria included: 1) aged ≥50 years, and 2) obesity, and/or metabolic syndrome, and/or diabetes. Patients consecutively visiting PC practices completed a questionnaire assessing socio-demographic characteristics and health habits. HL, illness perception and NAFLD/NASH awareness were assessed using the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire, the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire and the Public Awareness of NAFLD Questionnaire respectively. Results Data are available at this moment from the Greek setting. Among the Greek participants (N = 141, 53.2% females, mean age 66 years) 66.7% had diabetes, 78% obesity and 71.6% metabolic syndrome, with 22.7% reporting active smoking. Most (71.6%) had heard about NAFLD by their personal physician. Obesity (78%), excess alcohol intake (45.8%), lack of exercise (38.7%) and diabetes (32.4%) were recognized as the commonest determinants of fatty liver disease, while 78% were aware of ultrasound as the main diagnostic modality and 47% did not know whether there is an available treatment. Only 39% of the participants find information of their treatments easily. Conclusions Our preliminary results show that the majority of patients seem to be aware about NAFLD/NASH and their determinants. It's alarming that a lot do not know about treatment, although they are high-risk. Key messages Our preliminary results show that the majority of patients seem to be aware about NAFLD/NASH and their determinants. It’s alarming that a lot of patients do not know about their treatment, although they are high-risk.