---
title: >-
  Patient Determinants for Histologic Diagnosis of NAFLD in the Real World: A
  TARGET‐NASH Study.
description: >-
  Explore this publication on real-world evidence: Patient Determinants for
  Histologic Diagnosis of NAFLD in the Real World: A TARGET‐NASH Study..
date: '2021-01-01'
category: Publications
tags:
  - Hepatology Communications
  - Abstract / Manuscript
  - Approval / Commercialization
  - Care
  - Hepatology
  - MASH/MASLD
  - Health System Partner
canonical_url: >-
  https://www.pedestalhealth.com/resources/publications/hepatology-communications/patient-determinants-for-histologic-diagnosis-of-nafld-in/
source: Pedestal Health
license: © 2026 Pedestal Health. All rights reserved.
slug: patient-determinants-for-histologic-diagnosis-of-nafld-in
id: 4b9mxVwCPuRLbMOgFLbESk
contentType: article
---

## Challenge

The drivers of liver biopsy utilization in real-world NAFLD care were poorly understood, with no large-scale data on which patient characteristics—demographic, clinical, or geographic—predicted histological diagnosis versus reliance on clinical criteria alone.

## Solution

The TARGET-NASH cohort was analyzed to identify patient-level determinants of biopsy receipt across academic and community sites, characterizing the gap between biopsy-confirmed and clinically diagnosed NAFLD patients in usual practice.

## Impact

Understanding who receives biopsies in real-world care informs trial site selection, enrichment strategies, and the design of biopsy-sparing endpoints, helping sponsors build more generalizable and feasible NAFLD development programs.

### [Andrea R. Mospan](/people/andrea-mospan/)

![Andrea R. Mospan, PhD, RAC — Profile Photo](https://images.ctfassets.net/h4s3ip99qawo/4w6bkwPHPqrXKYs4tHZPkK/1d21763b54ecc3466764986693b7072f/andrea-mospan.jpg)