Abstract PO-245: Perspectives of Hispanic/Latino patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Heredia Natalia I. , Ayieko Sylvia , McNeill Lorna H. , Hwang Jessica P. , Averyt Amelia , Fernandez Maria E. 
Published: January 2022

Introduction. Hispanic/Latino (heretofore Hispanic) adults have twice the incidence of liver cancer as Non-Hispanic Whites adults. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major contributor to the upward trend in liver cancer incidence and other adverse outcomes, especially among Hispanic adults. The cornerstone of treatment for NAFLD includes weight loss through regular physical activity and healthy eating. There is little current research on the perspectives of Hispanic patients with NAFLD as it relates to their condition and behavior change. Research in this area is needed to inform the design of culturally appropriate and disease-specific interventions for this population. The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of Hispanic patients with NAFLD on their diagnosis and management of the condition. Methods. We conducted in-depth qualitative interviews using a semi-structured interview guide with a sample of 12 Hispanic women diagnosed with NAFLD to understand their knowledge, perceptions, and experiences with NAFLD. Interviews were conducted via phone in Spanish and consent was obtained to record the interviews. The interviews were then transcribed and translated to English for analysis. We conducted thematic analysis, using Atlas.ti 8 to support qualitative analyses. Results. Participants were from the greater Houston, TX area with an average of 47 years and median time of diagnosis was 3 years prior to the interview. Women were diagnosed with NAFLD by their primary care physicians who referred them for imaging and/or consultation with liver specialists to confirm the diagnosis. Most women neither disclosed nor discussed their NAFLD diagnosis with others, because they were uncomfortable doing so or were concerned family members would worry about them. Even though doctors were the main source of information for NAFLD background and management, some participants sought additional knowledge on their own from the Internet. Women had a general understanding that NAFLD is associated with lifestyle, although some attributed it to genetics and family history. Most participants tried eating healthy but struggled to balance that with their own and their families' dietary and taste preferences, noting especially the difficulty of avoiding foods pervasive in their cuisine (e.g. rice, tortillas) and exposure to readily-available junk food less. They also tried to participate in physical activity, but encountered various barriers, such as tiredness and lack of motivation. Participants also conveyed that psychological factors such as stress and depression impacted their management of NAFLD. Conclusions. Our results suggest that Hispanic women struggle with barriers to NAFLD management and desire more information about and support for NAFLD management. Strategies to address psychological and emotional factors associated with NAFLD should also be incorporated into future programs. These findings provide culturally relevant insights that will be key to adapting an evidence-based intervention for Hispanic adults with NAFLD.

Citation Format: Natalia I. Heredia, Sylvia Ayieko, Lorna H. McNeill, Jessica P. Hwang, Amelia Averyt, Maria E. Fernandez. Perspectives of Hispanic/Latino patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: 14th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2021 Oct 6-8. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-245.