Question reference: S6W-11713
- Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
- Date lodged: 26 October 2022
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Current status: Answered by Maree Todd on 4 November 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the use of transient elastography in community settings to improve the early diagnosis of liver disease.
Answer
Transient elastography, commonly measured with a FibroScan, is currently used in several NHS Boards throughout Scotland to assess liver disease in hospital settings.
However its use in community settings is less well established. Local trials of its use in the community to assess those at high risk of liver disease have been initiated.
As we strive to deliver evidence-based policy, we await a more full evaluation of the data before considering the next steps. Experience so far has shown it to be feasible to introduce this technology in primary care and community settings and this could improve early detection of liver disease. Early detection of those with unrecognised advanced liver disease provides greater opportunity to prevent liver-related illness and deaths.