Virtual clinic for liver diseases opens to US patients
Providers offer test referrals and medications
A virtual clinic for liver diseases, including hepatitis, has begun treating patients.
The LiverRight Hepatology Clinic offers same-week video visits to adults who have been diagnosed with a liver disease or who need a diagnosis. Through appointments at the clinic, patients will be able to get referrals for blood tests and liver imaging, as well as medications that can help treat these diseases. The clinic is available to patients in all 50 states.
“Liver disease in America is under-diagnosed, and if not identified and treated early can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer,” or “the need for a liver transplant which is an option significantly limited by the low supply of available donor organs,” Brandon Tudor, co-founder and CEO of LiverRight, said in a clinic press release. “Our steadfast goal is to radically compress time to diagnosis and time to treatment initiation for all forms of liver disease.”
While about 80 million adults in the U.S. have some form of liver disease, some 5 million of those have been diagnosed, LiverRight said, meaning millions of patients are likely missing out on medical care that could improve their health and quality of life.
“Liver disease can also be a sign of associated medical conditions that need to be addressed as well,” Tudor said.
One of the biggest hurdles to getting a diagnosis is access to specialty care. According to LiverRight, it can take months to get an appointment with a liver specialist. By offering video appointments within a week of seeking care, the virtual clinic aims to help provide better access.
Early diagnosis key in hepatitis
Hepatitis, which refers to liver inflammation, is most commonly caused by a viral infection. While the infection may not always cause serious harm, in some cases it may result in severe liver-related complications, such as cirrhosis (irreversible liver scarring), liver failure, or liver cancer.
Viral hepatitis is often a silent disease in which symptoms become evident only after the disease has resulted in severe liver damage. Early diagnosis is crucial for the start of hepatitis treatment that can be very effective for certain hepatitis viruses.
The LiverRight clinic provides specialized treatment for infection with hepatitis B, C, and D viruses. Modern treatment can usually cure hepatitis C, while the hepatitis B virus can be effectively suppressed with available antiviral medication. Hepatitis D, which only occurs in people already infected with the hepatitis B virus, is not yet curable, but can be managed with targeted medication.
The clinic also offers specialized care for fatty liver disease, alcohol-associated liver disease, and cirrhosis.
Cincinnati-based LiverRight was started as part of the Venture Velocity Program from Cintrifuse, which aims to support entrepreneurship in the Cincinnati region.
“We’re thrilled to welcome LiverRight into the Venture Velocity Program,” said J.B. Kropp, CEO of Cintrifuse and managing director of Cintrifuse Capital. “Their innovative approach to tackling liver disease through a national virtual clinic will make waves and we look forward to helping them scale their impact and accelerate access to life-saving care.”
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