What is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?

  • When excess fat gets deposited in the liver due to reasons other than alcohol it is called fatty liver disease

 It can be classified into two types

  • Non-alcoholic fatty liver: Simple fatty liver without much inflammation or liver cell damage
  • Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH): Fatty liver with inflammation and damage which may progress to cirrhosis and liver cancer

Magnitude of the problem

  • 1 billion people are affected worldwide
  • 9-32% of the general population has fatty liver in India
  • 2-5% of adults and up to 20% who are obese may develop NASH
  • 18-20% of Indians are overweight
  • 3-8% have diabetes

Natural history of Fatty liver disease

Why screening?

  • Diagnosis at an early stage when it is reversible
  • Timely intervention
  • Proper management of those who have advanced liver disease
  • 70-90% of Fatty liver disease patients have other components of metabolic syndrome namely obesity, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia which will also be picked up during this protocol

Who are at risk

  • Abdominal obesity waist circumference >90cm in males and >80 cm in females
  • Obesity BMI >23
  • History or blood report suggestive of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease
  • Family history of diabetes, hypertension heart disease
  • Abnormal liver function test report or fatty liver on Ultrasound

What if I am diagnosed with fatty liver

  • You will undergo tests to see the possibility of advanced fibrosis
  • If the possibility is low, then you will be advised about lifestyle modifications
  • If the possibility of fibrosis is high, then you will be evaluated for chronic liver disease and its complications

How can fatty liver be prevented?

  • Watch your weight BMI> 23 is a risk factor
  • Eat right: balanced diet tailored to one’s requirements
  • Get screened for diabetes
  • Regular health checkups