Nursing Strategies to Improve Disease Awareness and Lifestyle in Patients with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD)

Abstract

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is an increasingly prevalent chronic liver condition strongly associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and other components of metabolic syndrome. Despite its growing public health significance, patient awareness about MASLD remains low, and lifestyle modification—a cornerstone of disease management—is frequently underutilized. Nurses play a vital role in educating and motivating patients toward sustainable behavioral changes that may delay disease progression and reduce long-term complications. This master’s thesis explores the effectiveness of nurse-led strategies in improving disease awareness and encouraging lifestyle modification among patients with MASLD. The primary aim is to assess whether structured educational interventions delivered by nurses can improve patient knowledge, health literacy, and adherence to recommended lifestyle changes, including diet, physical activity, and weight control. The specific objectives of the study are: (1) to assess baseline knowledge and lifestyle behaviors of patients diagnosed with MASLD, (2) to identify educational gaps and barriers to lifestyle change, (3) to develop and implement a targeted nurse-led intervention, (4) to evaluate its impact on patient awareness, motivation, and behavior, and (5) to generate evidence-based recommendations for integrating such strategies into everyday nursing practice. A quantitative observational study design was applied. Eighty-five adult patients diagnosed with MASLD were recruited from a gastroenterology outpatient clinic. Data were collected using a structured pre-intervention questionnaire assessing knowledge, lifestyle behaviors, and readiness for change. The educational intervention included personalized counseling by nurses, visual materials, goal-setting strategies, and follow-up sessions over a 2-month period. After the intervention, the same questionnaire was repeated to assess changes in knowledge and lifestyle habits. Preliminary findings suggest a significant improvement in disease awareness and motivation for lifestyle change post-intervention. Patients reported better understanding of MASLD and increased willingness to adopt healthier behaviors. Additionally, nurse-patient communication was enhanced, and many participants expressed satisfaction with the support provided by nursing staff. This study highlights the key role nurses play in patient education and behavior change, particularly in managing chronic metabolic conditions such as MASLD. The findings support the inclusion of structured educational strategies into standard nursing care for patients at risk of liver-related morbidity. Further research is recommended to assess long-term adherence and to evaluate the scalability of such interventions across diverse clinical settings. Abbreviations: MASLD – Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease; NAFLD – Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; BMI – Body Mass Index; QoL – Quality of Life; HCC – Hepatocellular Carcinoma.