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