Fatty liver is a common liver disease in Asians and Thais, besides Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus, and cirrhosis from alcohol consumption. Currently, there is also an increase in the condition of fatty deposits in the liver or fatty liver disease in Thai patients. Now, there is a device to measure the elasticity of the liver, Fibroscan with CAP (Controlled Attenuation Parameter), that helps doctors diagnose and screen at-risk groups effectively
From the incidence found, fatty liver disease has become a hit disease over the last 10 years since it was first discovered in America in a group of obese people with increased liver values. And upon detailed examination in this group of patients, it was found that there was a full fat deposition in the liver tissue. Currently, the incidence of this disease continues to rise sharply, especially among the Asian population with smaller, leaner physiques but having belly fat from lifestyle behaviors, eating well, living well, and disliking exercise. Fatty liver disease is clearly linked to diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, overweight, and excessive waist circumference, or collectively known as metabolic syndrome.
Understanding Fatty Liver Disease
Fatty liver disease is a condition where the body accumulates fat inside liver cells in the form of triglycerides. In some patients, inflammation of the liver can also be found, which if left untreated, chronic liver inflammation can lead to fibrosis in the liver or eventually cirrhosis. Fatty liver may not seem severe but it indicates the risk of developing liver cirrhosis at an early stage, especially in obese or overweight people. However, people with a lean physique are not risk-free, especially those with hidden obesity, where 1 in 4 of these groups found the condition of fatty liver deposits
Key Factors in the Development of Fatty Liver Disease
The key factor in the development of fatty liver disease is insulin resistance combined with other triggers such as inflammation and liver cell death. Most patients will not show clear symptoms, while some long-standing cases may start to have symptoms like tightness in the right rib cage area or early symptoms of cirrhosis such as fatigue, and bloating. In the past, doctors would biopsy the liver tissue to find abnormalities and provide treatment. Nowadays, medical science has developed the Fibroscan with CAP (Controlled Attenuation Parameter) that delivers clear analysis results using ultrasound technology instead of tissue biopsy, to reduce pain and patient recovery time
Diagnosis of Fatty Liver Disease
Fibroscan with CAP (Controlled Attenuation Parameter) is a new technology for diagnosing the condition of fibrosis in the liver tissue. Bangkok Hospital is the first in Thailand to use this technology to diagnose at-risk patients. Apart from being able to assess the condition of fibrosis in the liver tissue in patients with early-stage cirrhosis and monitoring results, it also helps to assess the severity level for planning treatment and diagnosing complications in patients with cirrhosis instead of liver biopsy. Additionally, it can evaluate and display the amount of fatty deposits in the liver for patients at risk of fatty liver disease (Fatty liver) simultaneously in one quick and clear session
“The Fibroscan with CAP can tell about the amount of fat accumulated in the liver and detect the condition of fibrosis in the liver tissue, cholesterol levels, and triglycerides, leading to diagnosis and confirm treatment results. Patients who receive timely treatment can help delay symptoms and prevent the risk of future liver inflammation and cirrhosis.”
Who Should Get Screened
Patients who need special liver screening are those with chronic liver inflammation or abnormal liver function for more than 6 months, indicating early-stage cirrhosis, such as low blood platelets, slightly high liver values, and a slightly enlarged spleen. This machine can tell whether the liver is cirrhotic or not
The severity of fatty liver disease differs from liver diseases caused by viruses, as there is no cure other than exercising, changing eating and living habits, reducing starch and fat intake. Most of these patients usually take their health for granted, thinking they are still healthy until it’s too late when inflammation occurs upon visiting the doctor. However, although there is currently no cure for fibrosis in the liver, doctors and researchers worldwide continue to research and develop treatments to prevent early-stage fibrosis from leading to subsequent cirrhosis.
