EASL: European Association for the Study of the Liver
EASL stands for the European Association for the Study of the Liver, which is the leading liver association in Europe that develops evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of liver diseases. 1, 2
Organizational Overview
EASL serves as the premier European organization dedicated to promoting liver research, facilitating scientific exchange, and fostering public awareness of liver disease and its management. 1
The association develops comprehensive clinical practice guidelines that assist physicians and healthcare providers in clinical decision-making for patients with various acute and chronic liver conditions. 1, 2
Scope of EASL Guidelines
- EASL publishes evidence-based recommendations covering the full spectrum of liver diseases, including:
Guideline Development Methodology
Expert panels selected by the EASL Governing Board develop guidelines over several months, with independent peer review, and all contributors must disclose conflicts of interest. 2
Guidelines utilize the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) system to classify evidence quality as High (A), Moderate (B), or Low (C), and recommendation strength as Strong (1) or Weak (2). 2
Comprehensive literature searches using PubMed and Cochrane databases form the evidence base for all recommendations. 2
Clinical Application
EASL guidelines define the use of diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive modalities for managing patients with liver diseases, intended to assist physicians, patients, healthcare providers, and health-policy makers. 2
Recommendations are designed to be flexible, suggesting preferred approaches while allowing physicians to adapt based on individual patient circumstances, local regulations, team capacities, infrastructure, and available resources. 2