Understanding and reducing late diagnosis of alcohol-related diseases and metabolic liver disease.

Study of the Drivers of Late Diagnosis of Alcohol Related Diseases, Alone or in Combination With Metabolic Dysfunconal Associated Fatty Liver Disease, Implementation and Evaluation of Itnerventions to Reduce Its Burden.

Not applicable Interventional Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron Research Institute · NCT06403332

This study is trying to find ways to help people over 30 with signs of liver problems related to alcohol use and fatty liver disease get diagnosed earlier and receive better treatment.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment350 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorHospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron Research Institute Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Barcelona and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06403332 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the factors contributing to the late diagnosis of alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) and metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). It aims to implement and evaluate brief interventions to reduce the burden of these conditions, which are exacerbated by social determinants of health and stigma. The study focuses on patients over 30 years old who show signs of alcohol use disorder and liver abnormalities but have not yet experienced decompensated liver disease. By addressing these issues, the study seeks to improve early diagnosis and treatment outcomes for affected individuals.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults over 30 with suspected alcohol use disorder and liver abnormalities who have not experienced decompensated liver disease.

Not a fit: Patients with a history of decompensated advanced liver disease or severe extrahepatic disease may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to earlier diagnosis and better management of alcohol-related and metabolic liver diseases, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success in addressing alcohol-related diseases through early intervention and education, suggesting that this approach may also be effective.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Never decompensated patients with ArLD suspicion

* Age over 30
* Diagnosis of AUD identified by the AUDIT test or excessive alcohol consumption, i.e., suspicion of current or recent (within one year) AUD or persistent alcohol intake of more than 40 g/daily for women and 60 g/daily for men based on medical history or self-reported history of excessive alcohol use, stigmata of alcohol use on physical exam, liver chemistry abnormalities, and/or alcohol-induced organ involvement other than decompensated liver disease
* Alanine (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferases (AST) \<5 times upper normal limit
* Bilirubin \<3 mg/dL or/and
* AST/ALT ratio \>1.5 or/and
* GGT \>100 mg/dL • Patients with a past history of decompensated advanced liver disease (i.e., episodes of jaundice, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, variceal bleeding, hepatorenal syndrome) or known HCC
* Patients with severe extrahepatic disease or terminal illness

Young patients with risk alcohol intake and without liver disease

* Age between 18-30 years
* Diagnosis of AUD identified by the AUDIT test or for whom there is a high suspicion of current or recent (within one year) AUD or persistent alcohol intake of more than 40 g/daily for women and 60 g/daily for men based on medical history or self-reported history of excessive alcohol use, stigmata of alcohol use on physical exam and/or alcohol-induced organ involvement other than decompensated liver disease
* Normal liver test including AST, ALT, bilirubin and GGT. • Patients with a past history of decompensated advanced liver disease (i.e., episodes of jaundice, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, variceal bleeding, hepatorenal syndrome) or known HCC
* Patients with severe extrahepatic disease or terminal illness

Previously or currently decompensated patients • Age over 30

* Diagnosed ALD with a current or previous liver-related decompensation (i.e., ascites or edemas, hepatic encephalopathy, hepatocellular carcinoma, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis or alcoholic hepatitis) • Terminal illness with less than 6 months live expectancy (except advanced hepatocellular carcinoma)
* Previous liver transplant recipient

Patients without significant liver disease

* Age over 30
* Alcohol intake of \<10g per day without current or previous AUD or heavy alcohol intake • Significant liver pathology MASLD patients with a maximum alcohol intake of 20g per day.
* Age over 30
* Alcohol intake (\<20g/day in women and \<30g/day in men),
* Patients with obesity and/or diabetes mellitus type 2 and/or metabolic syndrome defined by the presence of two or more of the Eslam et al. criteria. • Patients with a past history of decompensated advanced liver disease (i.e., episodes of jaundice, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, variceal bleeding, hepatorenal syndrome) or known HCC
* Patients with severe extrahepatic disease or terminal illness

Where this trial is running

Barcelona and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Alcohol-related Liver DiseaseAlcohol Use DisorderMetabolic and Alcohol Related/Associated Liver DiseaseMetabolic Disfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.