In India, Apollo Hospitals has discovered a new intervention for the detection of fatty liver. Thirty-three percent of the over fifty thousand individuals (53,946) who had thorough preventive health examinations at Apollo Hospitals were found to have fatty livers.
Still, just one in three of those with fatty liver showed high liver enzymes, suggesting that diagnostic treatments in our healthcare systems should not be limited to blood testing for early identification and reversal of these disorders in all persons.
Currently, a patient’s medical history, physical examination, and blood tests, which include measurements of liver function indicators and liver enzyme levels, are the primary methods used to diagnose fatty liver disease. Even in situations when there may not be a discernible variance in liver enzyme values, imaging tests like fibroscan and ultrasonography can aid in seeing the liver and identifying fat accumulation.
Despite this, because of its accessibility and apparent need based on preliminary non-imaging assessments, ultrasonography is not usually the first option. The statement went on to say that MASLD raises mortality from liver disorders, cardiovascular problems, and oncological consequences.
“The lack of timely diagnosis of fatty liver disease (FLD) is a growing concern,” stated Dr. N. Murugan, Senior Consultant Hepatologist & Liver Transplant Physician, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, in response to this. Due to rising prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, steatotic liver disease (MASLD) associated with metabolic dysfunction—caused by factors other than excessive alcohol consumption—is becoming more common in India. FLD is becoming more common, but because it is mostly asymptomatic in the early stages and does not always show up on an LFT blood test, it frequently goes untreated.
Dr. Akash Roy, Senior Hepatologist at Apollo Hospitals in Kolkata, continued, “Early and accurate detection through imaging techniques like ultrasound could lead to timely interventions, lifestyle modifications, and treatment plans that could significantly improve patient outcomes.”
One established method for reversing fatty liver in its early stages is weight loss. Liver fat and inflammation can be considerably reduced by even a five to ten percent drop in body weight.
“We are personalizing health checks to each person’s risk with Apollo ProHealth, and our doctors interpret the results for accurate guidance,” stated Dr. Sathya Sriram, CEO. We have also argued in favor of including ultrasonography as a crucial and safe part of physical examinations, acknowledging its major therapeutic advantages for real preventative care.
