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Late last week, AASLD published new practice guidance on the clinical assessment and management of NAFLD. The Surfers convene with Ken Cusi, who contributed to the previous iteration published in 2018, to explore its key features and implications. The updated document reflects the many advances pertinent to any practitioner caring for patients with NAFLD. This conversation focuses on the impact this guidance may have on patients: will it make a difference and if so, how?

Ken asserts his position that both patients and providers need to be educated on solutions available today. Measures range from effective diet modifications to bariatric surgery and anti-obesity drugs. Louise Campbell reminds that not all patients interact with physicians and that nurses, dieticians and other allied health professionals experience more numerous contact points in terms of co-morbidity management. She asserts that guidances and guidelines need to make an effective impression on the frontline professionals, caretakers and even the patients themselves. This prompts Ken to share some exciting news with regards to the ADA formally recognizing NASH as a problem associated with diabetes. He reveals that he is chairing a committee which will work to create a consensus statement on this subject through consulting an array of stakeholders. Notably, they are inviting the participation of dieticians, diabetes educators, pharmacy representatives, obesity management leaders, primary care representatives and hepatologists among other groups. Ken expresses his optimism for the momentous energy and convergence of fields in an unprecedented effort to collectively combat Fatty Liver diseases. Jörn adds that such collaboration will drive stronger patient advocacy and better education around what specific questions they should be asking their treaters.