Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) also MASLD, formerly NAFLD
Adult

On this page

Emergency Referrals

Useful Management Information

GPs seeking guidance on MAFLD assessment and management are advised to consult the Gastroenterology Society of Australia (GESA) MAFLD Consensus Statement, available on the GESA website
Manage cardiometabolic risk factors
Lifestyle modification (increased activity, dietary, weight, smoking, alcohol)
Address misuse of other substance (illicit and prescription drugs)
Consider cessation of hepatotoxic medication, complementary and alternative medicines, NSAIDs and benzodiazepines
Education: MAFLD-cirrhosis and HCC surveillance

Minimum Referral Criteria

Does your patient meet the minimum referral criteria?

Category 1 (appointment within 30 calendar days)	MAFLD with concerning features: Evidence of liver decompensation (e.g. jaundice and/or ascites and/or encephalopathy)
Category 2 (appointment within 90 calendar days)	MAFLD without concerning features and stratified as at high- or unresolved indeterminate-risk of advanced liver fibrosis Assess MAFLD fibrosis stage: begin with first-line FIB-4 score (FIB-4 calculator ) assessment in people aged ≥35 years High risk: FIB-4 score ≥2.7 (or ≥2.0 if over 65 years) Indeterminate risk: FIB-4 score between 1.3 and 2.7. Proceed with second-line tests (liver elastography or serum fibrosis test). Refer if second-line test results are elevated or if these tests are not available NB: Category 2 cases can be referred to local/regional general physician if gastroenterology access is not locally available
Category 3 (appointment within 365 calendar days)	Patients with MAFLD at low risk of advanced liver fibrosis on first line (FIB-4 <1.3) +/- second-line testing without additional cause of liver disease do not require hepatology referral. Ongoing primary care management should include: cardiometabolic risk liver fibrosis reassessment every 2 years or annual monitoring in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
If the patient does not meet the criteria for referral but the referring practitioner believes the patient requires specialist review, a clinical override may be requested: Please explain why (e.g. warning signs or symptoms, clinical modifiers, uncertain about diagnosis, etc.) Please note that your referral may not be accepted or may be redirected to another service.

Standard Referral Information

Reason for request

To establish a diagnosis
For treatment or intervention
For advice and management
For specialist to take over management
Reassurance for GP/second opinion
For a specified test/investigation the GP can't order, or the patient can't afford or access
Reassurance for the patient/family
For other reason (e.g. rapidly accelerating disease progression)
Clinical judgement indicates a referral for specialist review is necessary

Relevant clinical information about the condition

Presenting symptoms (evolution and duration)
Physical findings
Details of previous treatment (including systemic and topical medications prescribed) including the course and outcome of the treatment
All conservative options that have been pursued unsuccessfully prior to referral
Body mass index (BMI)
Details of any associated medical conditions which may affect the condition or its treatment (e.g. diabetes), noting these must be stable and controlled prior to referral
Any special care requirements where relevant (e.g tracheostomy in place, oxygen required)
Current medications and dosages
Drug allergies
Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs use

Patient's Demographic Details

Full name (including aliases)
Date and country of birth
Residential and postal address including whether patient resides at an aged care facility
Telephone contact number/s – home, mobile and alternative
Medicare number (where eligible)
Name of the parent or caregiver (if appropriate)
Name of delegate and contact details (Department of Corrective Services)
Preferred language and interpreter requirements
Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
Any special needs, access requirements and/or disability relevant to the referral

Referring Practitioner Details

Full name
Full address
Contact details – telephone, fax, email
Provider number
Date of referral
Signature
Nominated general practitioner’s details (if known), if the nominated general practitioner is different from the referring practitioner

Other relevant information

Willingness to have surgery (where surgery is a likely intervention)
Choice to be treated as a public or private patient
Compensable status (e.g. DVA, Work Cover, Motor Vehicle Insurance, etc.)

Essential Referral Information

General referral information including details of presenting issues
Comorbidities and past medical history (including cardiometabolic risk factors)
Alcohol and drug/medication history (including complementary and alternative medicines)
Height, weight and BMI
FIB-4 (Fib-4 calculator ), ELFT, FBC results less than 3 months old
HBV, HCV serology, fasting glucose, HbA1c and fasting lipid results
Recent upper abdominal ultrasound or CT reports

Additional Referral Information

Family history of liver disease or diabetes
Record of previous liver function tests
Iron studies/INR

Send Referrals To

Smart Referrals

Preferred Method
About Smart Referrals

Secure Web Transfer

Send to: Gold Coast Health Service District

Internal Referrals

Hepatology qhRefer

Fax

(07) 5687 4497

Post

Booking and Referral Centre
Gold Coast University Hospital
1 Hospital Boulevard
Southport QLD 4215

Enquiries

1300 559 083

Related HealthPathways

No directly related pathways found

HealthPathways home page

Service Availability

Dr Russell Canavan

Medical Director Hepatology, and Gastroenterology

Facilities

Gold Coast University Hospital

If you would like to send a named referral, please address it to the specialist listed above, who will allocate a suitably qualified specialist to see the patient. Alternatively, you can view a full list of our specialists.

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) also MASLD, formerly NAFLDAdult