Engagement with community liver disease management across the UK: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

BackgroundLiver disease is an increasing cause of premature mortality in the UK. Its management in primary care is not well understood. It is unclear what role commissioning bodies are playing in liver disease in the UK.AimTo assess the level of engagement with community chronic liver disease management among clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) and health authorities across the UK.Design & settingA cross-sectional survey to all UK CCGs and health authorities.MethodSurvey questions were developed by the British Liver Trust, in collaboration with topic experts, and evaluated structures in place relating to liver disease management at commissioning and health board level.ResultsThere were 159 responses representing 99% UK coverage of CCGs and health boards. Twenty per cent reported an individual responsible for liver disease within their organisation, with 40% and 29% reporting having pathways in place to respond to abnormal liver blood tests and liver disease more generally, respectively. All those reporting use of pathways reported using national guidelines to guide content. Twenty-five per cent made use of transient elastography (FibroScan) and 16% of direct serum fibrosis markers (for example, enhanced liver fibrosis [ELF] score), which are both part of current National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. There was marked regional variation in all areas of engagement surveyed, with Wales having exceptionally high levels of engagement in all areas in contrast to the other nations.ConclusionThe results of this survey should be used as a catalyst to highlight necessary regional improvements to the primary care management of chronic liver disease across the UK.